Owner Brookhouse lodges appeal against decision to void race

Roger Brookhouse, owner of Stars Over The Sea, who was first past the post in the qualified riders' race at Killarney on Thursday that was subsequently voided, has lodged an appeal against the decision.

No date has yet been set for the hearing, although Turf Club chief executive Denis Egan, who revealed the news, indicated it could be heard as soon as next Thursday.

In the wake of criticism that it took 20 minutes to void the race after it had finished, Egan stated that he felt the correct procedures were followed by the stewards on the day.

The inquiry concluded that Davy Roche's mount had gained an unfair advantage at flag-fall when efforts to ensure he jumped off resulted in him getting a running start.

Some bookmakers had paid out on the race despite the weighed in signal not being given, but Egan has little sympathy for those layers.

"The inquiry was called four minutes and ten seconds after the horses went by the finishing line," he said.

Denis Egan: chief of the Turf ClubCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

"Two minutes later, an announcement was made for punters not to discard their tickets.

"It goes without saying that you don't discard betting tickets if there's an inquiry, but it was just to be doubly certain.

"For example, running and riding inquires aren't announced unless it might affect the result, or they don't announce whip inquiries. If an inquiry is announced it usually means that it might affect the result."

He continued: "If bookmakers had paid out there's very little we can do when there is a stewards' inquiry pending.

"The stewards considered the matter very carefully before making the decision to void the race."

Did the Killarney stewards make the right decision?