Centreofattention ran in the 2m½f novice chase instead of Enda Bolger stablemate Don’t Tell Jack. The matter will be referred to a senior official, the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board has confirmed
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board have confirmed they will be looking into how the wrong JP McManus-owned and Enda Bolger-trained horse ran in a race at Punchestown.
Don’t Tell Jack, the strong early favourite, had been declared to run in the 2m½f novice chase on Thursday at 12.30pm. What was thought to be the five-year-old – who placed in a maiden hurdle at the track behind future Breeders Cup star Ethical Diamond in February – finished seventh of the nine runners.
However it was later discovered that maiden hurdler Centreofattention had lined up instead and was in contention over the final couple of fences. The six-year-old had less jumping experience on the track than his stablemate and was yet to win for his Irish stable.
Racing chiefs confirmed a senior racing official will investigate what happened in the race which saw Anthony McCann-saddled Luminous Light finish first. A statement from the IHRB posted on X read: “Prior to the running of the fifth race @punchestownrace, the raceday stewards withdrew Centreofattention, trained by E. Bolger, as the horse presented to the IHRB for scanning after saddling as Centreofattention was in fact Don’t Tell Jack.
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“It subsequently became apparent that the horse Centreofattention had participated in the second race and not the declared horse Don’t Tell Jack, finishing unplaced. The raceday stewards interviewed Mr. Frank Berry, authorised representative for E.Bolger, M.P. Walsh, rider, Joan Taylor, IHRB veterinary officer and James Casey, IHRB veterinary assistant.
“Since the winner alright had been signalled following the second race, the raceday stewards were unable to take any further action in relation to that race, and referred the entire matter onto a senior racing official for further investigation.”
Jonbon, a thoroughbred in the same ownership, is due to be the headline act at Cheltenham on Friday – if the meeting beats the weather. The ten-time Grade One winner is favourite for the Grade Two Shloer Chase, but Storm Claudia is due to sweep in and bring a large amount of rain.
The Met Office has issued an amber warning, suggesting severe weather was more likely to impact the region than previously forecast, for between noon and midnight.
Ground described as good to soft, good in places is expected to significantly ease and clerk of the course Jon Pullin could be forced to call an inspection as the day progresses.
“The weather warning has been upgraded,” he said. “The forecasters are now saying we could get more than 30mm of rain.
“No inspection is planned at the moment. That may change – we just need to keep a very close eye on it.”