YOU do wonder what it was about the run of Mount Corkish Girl that stood out as a ‘non trier’ for the Naas stewards last Sunday.

Yes, we want to see every horse run on its merits but anyone with experience of Irish racing will expect to see similar runs in every maiden hurdle. Not so much a deliberate “non-trier”, but veering towards the ‘come on for the run’, ‘better next time’ direction.

With fitness taken for granted as the ground becomes softer, many horses that give the impression of having something left at the finish. But there are more ways of “non-trying” than not appearing to give a horse a vigorous ride.

On her second outing since May, Andrew Lynch kept the mare in mid-field for most of the race. She is on the small side and she took a hefty bump when going for a gap due to a flattened hurdle at the second last.

She ran on without ever looking to make the first four and the effort appeared a run very much in keeping with the rest of her form.

She started at 66/1, which was an indication of what was expected, and three of those who finished ahead of her were shorter in the betting including the 11/10 winning favourite.

Given that she was found to be coughing afterwards, and the race was run in poor conditions, it didn’t stand out as a blatant “non trier”. Indeed, had she won, connections might well have been brought in to explain her improvement in form. We all ask for vigilence in policing those not making an honest effort but the light must be shone in the right directions.