Ahern banned for 18 days

EDDIE AHERN has been banned for 18 days, three of which have been deferred, by the disciplinary panel of the new British Horseracing Regulatory Authority.

Ahern was referred to the panel by the Yarmouth stewards after being found guilty of careless riding aboard second-placed Canadian Danehill in the Peggy Farley Memorial Handicap at Yarmouth on March 29.

The case was referred as Ahern had been suspended for a total of 21 days for interference within the previous 12 months.

The panel accepted an admission from Ahern that Canadian Danehill had interfered with Hiccups and Plateau, who in turn interfered with Gone’N’Dunnett, through careless riding on his part in that he manoeuvred his mount towards the rail resulting in the interference.

Ahern’s ban runs from Saturday, April 15 to April 29 inclusive. Three further days have been deferred until June 14.

Meanwhile, Jamie Spencer was in sparkling form at Leicester, netting a 1253/4-1 hat-trick.

The champion jockey opened up with Taras Tornado (7-2) for John Quinn and complete his trio on the Ed Dunlop-trained pair of Cool Customer (11-2) and High Command (100-30).