Stewards make decision after jockey falls from Redwood Queen at final jump

Stewards have taken no further action after looking into an incident in which a jockey fell off his horse when likely to win.

Philip Byrnes became unbalanced and hit the ground when Redwood Queen put in a big jump at the final flight of a claiming hurdle at Wexford.

Their departure at the end of two miles a furlong presented the race to 1-3 favourite Beacon Edge, a former Grade One winner over fences.

Redwood Queen, trained by the rider's father Charles, opened up at odds of 7-2 before the event at 4.55pm and drifted out to a starting price of 13-2.

Race readers sum up how a horse went throughout a contest and the on-duty employee stated the eight-year-old was travelling stronger than the hot favourite with the last obstacle in sight.

Published by the Racing Post, their representative for the card said: "In touch with leaders, took keen hold after 1st, prominent after 3rd, led 4th, going best 2 out, 2 lengths ahead when jockey unbalanced and unseated last."

A head-on replay showed how Redwood Queen, owned by Cathal Byrnes, picked his feet up and jumped the obstacle high before Philip Byrnes loses his stirrups and exits to the right.

The six-time winner traded at 1.14 in running beforehand, very short odds which summed up the likelihood of winning.

The Wexford stewards report said: "The raceday stewards reviewed the unseating of Philip Byrnes, rider of Redwood Queen, at the last hurdle when leading. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the matter, the raceday stewards took no further action."

Beacon Edge was returning to the winners enclosure after running in top races for most of his career and competing at the Cheltenham and Aintree festivals this spring.

The Drinmore Novice Chase hero of 2021 landed a Grade Two as recently as November, galloping on strongly for the bet365 Hurdle at Wetherby.

Josh Halford had never partnered the Gordon Elliott-saddled veteran before Wednesday's dramatic contest and he told Racing TV: "It's my ninth winner altogether and it's going great. I can't thank Gordon enough. On paper it was a penalty kick, but I was very lucky to get the opportunity. I thought he could have come on and had the faller covered, but he got the job done.

"He was flat out all the way and I tried to hold on to him. Gordon told me to use my head as the trip would be a bit tight, but we got the win anyway so we cannot complain."

Redwood Queen has run his last race for the Byrnes family as afterwards he was claimed by trainer Cian Collins for €6,000.