Rookie mistake has Loughran red-faced

ROGER LOUGHRAN, who turned professional only on December 17, was hit with a 14-day ban after committing a dreadful error aboard Central House in the Paddy Power Dial-A-Bet Chase at Leopardstown yesterday.

Loughran, 25 and seeking a first success as a pro, sat high in his stirrups about a hundred yards out, having mistaken the winning post.

It was a blunder he will never forget, and neither will those who were unlucky enough to have backed Central House, and the stewards had no choice but to hand down a harsh sentence.