THE Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board has confirmed this morning that it is taking a second look into Rachael Blackmore’s ride on Lady Rita that drew the attention of the Kilbeggan stewards on Friday night.

As the field approached the winning post on their penultimate circuit in the three-mile Moyvore Whiskey Vault Handicap Hurdle, Blackmore coaxed her mount forward and built up an advantage of at least four lengths before steadying the seven-year-old up and dropping back to fourth not long after the line.

Racecourse commentator James Griffin observed in-running that the Grand National-winning rider may have mistaken the winning post with a circuit left to go, and the raceday stewards interviewed Blackmore over “appearing to stop riding after reaching the winning post” at this point.

The well-backed 8/1 shot (from 25/1) ended up being beaten 21 lengths in fourth.

Blackmore suggested the manoeuvre was a tactical one, though. According to the stewards report, the leading rider insisted she “wanted to ensure that the race was run at a strong gallop and let her mount stride on after the final hurdle with a circuit to run but the animal got lairy in front and on realising there was still a long way to go, she allowed her to come back under her.”

Having viewed the recording and considered the evidence, the stewards informed Blackmore that they were “not entirely convinced with her explanation offered” but under the relevant rules “they could not be certain that her misjudgement, if any, had caused her to fail to obtain her best possible placing”.

The raceday officials took no further action, but the IHRB confirmed on Saturday morning that the matter is being looked into again.

An IHRB spokesperson told The Irish Field: “Following the race at Kilbeggan on Friday night, we noted the outcome of the stewards’ inquiry into the ride given to Lady Rita, ridden by Rachael Blackmore. We are in the process of gathering all relative information surrounding the race and the subsequent inquiry that led to the raceday stewards’ decision.”

The race in question was won by 12/1 shot Desert Heather for trainer Declan Queally, jockey Mike O’Connor and owner-breeder Harry Gettings.