Noel Meade's attempt to claim back Galway Hurdle unsuccessful after appeals body sticks with stewards' decision

Noel Meade has been unsuccessful in his attempt to claim back the Galway Hurdle after an appeals body stuck with the decision of the stewards on the day at Ballybrit and confirmed Ndaawi as the winner of Ireland's richest hurdle race. 

Helvic Dream passed the post a head in front of Ndaawi but, after a lengthy inquiry, the stewards on the day deemed there was enough interference after the last to reverse the result. They also suspended Donagh Meyler for two days for careless riding. 

Meade lodged an appeal against that decision and an appeals body made up of Mrs Justice Siobhan Keegan (chair), Nick Wachman and Paddy Molony met at the headquarters of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board on the Curragh on Wednesday for a hearing that lasted almost two hours.

Meade's appeal focused on five main points: that there was minor contact; that the second always had racing room; that there was no break in momentum; that it was a racing incident which wasn’t grounds for a reversal; and, that the initial result reflected the true performances of the horses. 

The appeals body dismissed the appeal, saying: "We think it is an underestimate to say that there was minor contact in this race. In relation to point two, we think it is an oversimplification to say that the second horse always had racing room. Why we say that is that the second horse was forced to go off his racing line and was pressed close to the rail. In relation to point three, we cannot discern a break of momentum of the horse, but we do accept Mr Kennedy’s evidence that he could not ride to his strongest in the circumstances he faced. 

"In relation to point four, we consider that this was not simply a racing incident because there was interference established. In coming to our conclusion, which touches on point five, we cannot be satisfied that the stewards erred in their decision to reverse the placings."

Noel Meade: "They had their opinion and I had mine. That's the way it goes"Credit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

When contacted by the Racing Post, Meade said: "I'm satisfied that we received a fair hearing. They had their opinion and I had mine. That's the way it goes."

Ndaawi's trainer Gordon Elliott said: "It's not a nice way to win any race. Myself and Noel go way back and we've had been the best of friends for a long, long time. That will never change. 

"I did feel that the stewards made the correct call on the day and it was the same story with the appeal. It's never nice to win a race like that, but I do think it was the right outcome."

Despite losing the appeal, Meade's deposit was refunded.

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