Spencer’s woes continue as ban may be increased

JAMIE SPENCER’S woes continued yesterday after it emerged that he could have the four-day careless riding ban he picked up at Navan on Saturday increased.

An appeal has been lodged against the leniency of the local stewards’ decision and, if the suspension is extended by at least two days, Spencer would miss the mount on Vodafone Derby favourite Yeats in the colt’s final prep race for the blue riband at Leopardstown on May 9.

Denis Egan, chief executive of the Irish Turf Club, explained: “Lady O’Reilly, who owns Sahara Sonnet, the horse ridden by Michael Kinane which fell in the race at Navan on Saturday, apparently as a result of Jamie Spencer’s manoeuvre, has lodged an objection to the decision of the acting stewards at Navan to only convict Jamie Spencer for careless riding.