The 2m5f race was won by former Cheltenham Festival winner Stumptown

A well known Irish trainer has been cautioned by Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB) stewards for bizarrely using a child’s rattler to encourage his horse to start a race at Galway on Monday.

Kilkenny-based Eoin Griffin was questioned by stewards following the W.B. Gavin & Co Handicap Hurdle where he had attended the start with his horse Lough Nigara.

Griffin had been granted permission by the stewards to be on the track for the start of the race won by former Cheltenham Festival winner Stumptown and Keith Donoghue.

Griffin’s nine-year-old, partnered by Daniel KIng, trailed in last of 12 in the 2m5f contest but afterwards he admitted to using the toy in a bid to prompt his gelding to go forward.

The IHRB raceday report said: “The Raceday Stewards interviewed Eoin Griffin, trainer of Lough Nigara. Having received permission to attend the start with his charge, Mr. Griffin appeared to be holding an object in his left hand in an attempt to prompt his horse to start.

“Evidence was heard from the trainer concerned who stated that he had a child's rattler in his hand in order to prompt his horse forward.

“Having considered the matter, the Raceday Stewards were satisfied that the trainer was in breach of Regulation 13 and having considered his clean record in this regard under this particular section of Regulation 13, they cautioned him on this occasion.”

Winning trainer Gavin Cromwell is now targeting a return to the Cheltenham Festival with Stumptown after his winning comeback.

The nine-year-old had been off the track since finishing fourth to stablemate Final Orders in the Cross Country at Prestbury Park in March and was tackling hurdles for the first time since April 2022.

The 7-1 chance made all and when pressed two out he found more for Keith Donoghue and galloped away to win by seven lengths.

Having won the Velka Pardubicka in 2025 he missed the race this year, allowing Final Orders to step into his shoes.

Cromwell said: "He is a legend but I didn't expect that to be honest as he was off for a long time, so I didn't really know. Keith gave him a lovely ride and got a fill into him.

"A new rule which was brought in last year allowed the handicapper to put him up from his original mark (of 116, back in April 2022) to 127, but he could have put him up higher, to be fair. I really didn't know what to expect today.

"It is great to have him back and this is a bonus before going for a banks race in Punchestown in early December. Cheltenham is his target again in March, although he is unlikely to go back for the English Grand National."

Stumptown's win completed a double for Cromwell after If You Believe (11-4) had earlier won the Connolly's RED MILLS Irish EBF Auction & Median Maiden Hurdle.