Down Royal Results Mon, 26th Dec, 2022

See also » Vaucelet delights Christie with game effort
It is not his ground. We had a discussion this morning whether we would run him or not, but there are so few races for him. It is only really Thurles I would want to take him to in the spring time. I wouldn't take him to Naas in the glue. We came anyway thinking we could be beaten today, but we need to get battle hardened because he has been doing really. He only kicks in at three miles, he really stays well. Funny enough, if the second-last fence had been there, it would have been even better for him. In the back of Barry's (O'Neill) mind all the time was Punchestown (bad mistake at the last when finishing second in the Champion Hunters Steeplechase in April). Barry just sat on him over the last and was careful and he lost a bit of momentum but then he really picked up and stayed. I'm chuffed to bits because of all the days that he would be beaten in a hunters' chase today would be that day. All roads lead to Cheltenham because it is three mile three up the hill. He kicks in at three miles which is what you need. He could possibly go to the hunters chase at Thurles and then Cheltenham. If he runs between now and Cheltenham, it is one we would consider. This is our number one Cheltenham horse here. He's very young, he's only seven. The nicer the ground, the better he is. The ground he won on at Stratford and Punchestown was lovely ground. We'll keep our fingers crossed we get him there. I wouldn't be averse to going to Cheltenham without a run. He's a big, tall, athletic hors D M Christie, trainer

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined The Storyteller, trained by Gordon Elliott, at the request of the Raceday Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal

The Raceday Stewards interviewed Miss A.L. Fitzgibbon, rider of Dylrow, concerning her use of the whip in the latter stages of this race when out of contention. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. In her evidence, Miss A.L. Fitzgibbon stated that her mount had gurgled at the top of the hill and then began to run on giving her a feeling that he might get an official placing. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards were of the opinion that Miss A.L. Fitzgibbon was in breach of R10(3)(b) by using her whip unnecessarily when her chance of winning or being placed was clearly gone. Having taken her clean previous record into consideration, the Raceday Stewards cautioned Miss A.L. Fitzgibbon on this occasion

Owing to damage to fence #2 (second last), the Raceday Stewards granted permission for this fence to be omitted from this race The Raceday Stewards fined D.M. Christie, trainer, €65 for failing fit the declared cheek pieces to Dylrow, prior to entering the parade ring.

A steeplechase for ] Certified Hunters five years old and upwards that have between 5th October, 2019 and 19th December, 2022 been placed either first, second, third or fourth in a Steeplechase confined to Certified Hunters in Ireland or in a Point-To-Point Steeplechase in Ireland and that have not won a race, including races under any N.H. Rules or Rules of Racing, since 1st March, 2022 other than Certified Hunters Steeplechases or Farmers Races
Weights - 12st Mares allowed 7lbs
Riders - Qualified Riders under I.N.H.S. Rules. ? A Hunters Certificate valid in accordance with Rule 78 for the 2022/2023 season for each horse engaged must be registered at the Offices of the I.N.H.S Committee, The Curragh, Co. Kildare not later than 19th December, 2022 or the horse will not be qualified to start.