Mystified Willie Mullins 'disappointed' by inquiry into Galway Plate non-runner

For a second year in a row champion trainer Willie Mullins has expressed himself both surprised and disappointed with the regulator's handling of his decision to withdraw a horse from the Galway Plate.

In 2018 Mullins elected to take Ballycasey out of the big race shortly before the cut-off point an hour and a half before the first race, which allowed him to instead run the strongly fancied Patricks Park.

Ruby Walsh duly switched off Saturnas and on to Patricks Park in thetote.com-sponsored feature, with the partnership eventually finishing second behind the outsider Clarcam.

This time around Some Neck, who holds another entry at the track on Sunday, was taken out, allowing first reserve Pylonthepressure – owned, like Some Neck, by Susannah Ricci – to get a run. He finished unplaced.

Some Neck: taken out of the Galway PlateCredit: Caroline Norris

The official reason published for Some Neck's scratching was recorded as a "clerical error", but the stewards have referred the matter to the chief executive of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board for further investigation.

"I don't know why," Mullins said of the decision to refer the matter.

"I'm surprised. There was a bit of confusion about the excuse but I'm disappointed that it has come up again. It's a very straightforward thing. Owners put a lot of money into this game and it's a big race. We'll have to see what the outcome of the inquiry is."

Twelve months ago rainfall had changed the going at Ballybrit after declarations were made 24 hours in advance, and Mullins didn't take too kindly to being asked to defend the decision when it was pointed out by the IHRB handicapper Andrew Shaw during an inquiry at the track that Ballycasey had done the majority of his winning on soft or heavy ground.

After Diamond Hill won the amateur riders' race on the 2018 card, he said he was "surprised" and "disappointed" to have to attend an inquiry into the matter, and he used the very same words a year on just after Diamond Hill landed the opening maiden hurdle.

The background to this is significant.

Carlingford Lough won the 2013 Galway Plate after getting in the race as first reserveCredit: Caroline Norris

The Ballycasey withdrawal had again brought the reserve system into sharp focus five years after JP McManus's Carlingford Lough won the Plate as first reserve when he only secured a place in the race when the same owner's Like Your Style was a late withdrawal. In April the IHRB changed the rules relating to the reserve system.

To give more clarity to punters, the cut-off point was brought forward to 11am in the summer and 10am in the winter, but in the case of the Plate, which had a new 48-hour declaration stage, the last opportunity for a reserve to get a slot in Wednesday's final field was 10am on Tuesday.

Watch Borice win the Galway Plate

That the field was confirmed a day in advance was a big improvement for those looking to have a bet on the race and for its promotion, but talking points still emerged surrounding the reserve system.

Similar to 2013, McManus's second reserve Movewiththetimes was a major market mover and ended up starting joint-favourite after only getting a place in the field when the owner's Drumcliff was taken out due to a temperature.

That was accepted by the stewards. However, it is now at the discretion of the IHRB chief executive Denis Egan whether or not Mullins faces further questions over Some Neck's withdrawal.

Speaking on Thursday, Egan said he wouldn't comment on the specific case and would consider the matter next week. Asked how he felt the new reserve system worked, given events surrounding the Plate prompted the changes, he suggested a review would be undertaken six months after it was first implemented in April.

"The Plate is just one part of the jigsaw, and at least everyone knew what was running 24 hours in advance," he said. "It's too early to say how it is working. We'll communicate with all stakeholders after six months to get their views on it and go from there."

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