RECORD ATTENDANCES ON LADIES DAY & ST PATRICK'S THURSDAY AS OVER 260,000 AT THE FESTIVAL FOR SECOND YEAR RUNNING
 
ATTENDANCES          2017             2016             2015
Tuesday                  66,019          67,700          63,249
Wednesday              57,681          57,093          55,359
Thursday                 66,200          65,544          60,495
Friday                     70,160          70,242          68,957
Totals                      260,060         260,579         248,050
 
 
STEWARDS' REPORTS FIRST FIVE RACES
 
Race 1 - 1:30pm JCB TRIUMPH HURDLE (Grade 1)
The Stewards gave permission for DEFI DU SEUIL (FR), trained by Philip Hobbs, to wear a hood in the parade ring and in the chute only. They noted that BAPAUME (FR) and DANDY MAG (FR), both trained by W.P. Mullins would wear earplugs and that MEGA FORTUNE (FR), trained by Gordon Elliott would wear earplugs which would be removed at the start.
The Stewards noted that EX PATRIOT (IRE), ridden by Rachael Blackmore, unseated its rider on the way to post but were satisfied that the gelding was checked by a veterinary surgeon at the start and deemed fit to race.
The Veterinary Officer reported that MASTER BLUEYES (IRE), unplaced, trained by Alan King, was lame left fore.
Nico de Boinville, the rider of SOLDIER IN ACTION (FR), unplaced, reported that the gelding was never travelling.
 
Race 2 - 2:10pm RANDOX HEALTH COUNTY HANDICAP HURDLE (Grade 3)
The Stewards noted that WINTER ESCAPE (IRE), placed fifth, had hung quickly right-handed after the final flight, interfering with IVANOVICH GORBATOV (IRE), placed sixth, but after viewing a recording of the incident they were satisfied that it neither involved a riding offence nor improved WINTER ESCAPE (IRE)'s placing.
The Stewards noted that JOEY SASA (IRE), unplaced, had lugged left-handed after the second last flight, before being quickly corrected, interfering with MOHAAYED, unplaced, but after viewing a recording of the race they were satisfied that it did not involve a riding offence.
The Stewards noted that CRIEVEHILL (IRE), trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies, would wear earplugs.
Noel Meade, the trainer of JOEY SASA (IRE), unplaced, reported that the gelding bled from the nose.
Noel Meade, the trainer of DE NAME ESCAPES ME (IRE), which was pulled up, reported that the gelding bled from the nose. The Veterinary Officer reported that a post-race examination of the gelding revealed it to have lost its left fore shoe.
 
Race 3 - 2:50pm ALBERT BARTLETT NOVICES' HURDLE (Grade 1)
The Stewards held an enquiry into possible interference on the run to the last flight. Having heard their evidence and viewed recordings of the race they found that David Mullins, the rider of MONALEE (IRE), placed second, had allowed his horse to hang right-handed causing interference to WHOLESTONE (IRE), placed third, ridden by Daryl Jacob. They found Mullins in breach of Rule (B)54.1 and guilty of careless riding in that he had allowed his horse to drift right without sufficient correction. They cautioned him as to his future conduct in races.
The Stewards noted that PENHILL and TURCAGUA (FR), both trained by W.P. Mullins, would wear earplugs.
Ruby Walsh, the rider of AUGUSTA KATE, placed sixth, reported that the mare made a bad mistake in the back straight.
 
Race 4 - 3:30pm TIMICO CHELTENHAM GOLD CUP CHASE (Grade 1)
The Stewards held an enquiry into the use of the whip by Noel Fehily, the rider of MINELLA ROCCO (IRE), placed second, from the third last fence. Having heard his evidence and viewed recordings of the race, they found him in breach of Schedule (B)6 Part 2 in that he had used his whip above the permitted level. The Stewards suspended Fehily for 2 days as follows:- Friday 31 March and Saturday 1 April 2017.
The Stewards noted that BRISTOL DE MAI (FR), trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies and DJAKADAM (FR), trained by W.P. Mullins, would wear earplugs.
Paul Townend, the rider of IRISH CAVALIER (IRE), which was pulled up, reported that the gelding was never travelling.
B.J. Cooper, the rider of OUTLANDER (IRE), unplaced, reported that the gelding was never travelling. The Veterinary Officer reported that a post-race examination of the gelding, during routine testing, failed to reveal any abnormalities.
 
Race 5 - 4:10pm ST JAMES'S PLACE FOXHUNTER CHALLENGE CUP OPEN HUNTERS' CHASE
The Stewards held an enquiry into the use of the whip by Mr D. Queally, the rider of MINELLA FOR VALUE (IRE), placed sixth, from the third last fence. Having heard his evidence and viewed recordings of the race, they found him in breach of Schedule (B)6 Part 2 in that he had used his whip above the permitted level. The Stewards suspended Mr Queally for 7 days as follows: Friday 31 March and Sunday 2, Monday 3, Tuesday 4, Wednesday 5, Thursday 6 and Saturday 8 April 2017.
The Stewards held an enquiry into the use of the whip by Miss K. Walsh, the rider of WONDERFUL CHARM (FR), placed second, from the third last fence. Having heard her evidence and viewed recordings of the race, they found her in breach of Schedule (B)6 Part 2 in that she had used her whip above the permitted level. The Stewards suspended Miss Walsh for 4 days as follows: Friday 31 March and Sunday 2, Monday 3 and Tuesday 4 April 2017.
The Stewards gave permission for PREMIER PORTRAIT (IRE), trained by Dr Charles Levinson, to be late into the parade ring and to be mounted in the chute. They noted the gelding would wear earplugs which would be removed at the start. They also noted that CURRENT EVENT (FR), trained by Mrs Rose Loxton, would wear earplugs which would be removed at the start. They noted PENTIFFIC (NZ), trained by P.P. Turner, would wear a hood in the parade ring only.
Following an enquiry the stewards ordered that ANSEANACHAI CLISTE (IRE), owned by Mr Michael McConville, be withdrawn from the St. James's Place Foxhunter Challenge Cup Open Hunters' Steeple Chase due to the fact that they could not be satisfied that the horse had been administered only normal feed and water on race day. They interviewed the owner, the trainer, the Veterinary Officer and the Equine Welfare Integrity Officer. Having heard their evidence the Stewards ordered the horse to be tested and referred the matter to the Head Office of the British Horseracing Authority.
The Stewards held an enquiry following a report from a Stipendiary Steward that he had observed Mr R.P. Quinlan using his mobile phone outside the designated area. They interviewed the rider. Having heard his evidence the Stewards found the rider in breach of Rule (D)33.1 and fined him £290.