Rule 212 action taken by Gowran stewards was extreme

It will be a surprise should the somewhat draconian penalties be allowed to stand, writes Pat Keane.

It has been all about Cheltenham this week, obviously, but first things first and the quite extraordinary action taken by the stewards at Gowran Park last Saturday.

Remember when the stewards at Dundalk on February 24 acted under Rule 212 and inquired into the running and riding of the Johnny Murtagh-trained Tobacco Bay, who finished fifth in a maiden won by the hot-pot, Zinat?