Date set for Murphy appeal

TIMMY MURPHY will have his appeal against a seven-day ban heard at the Jockey Club next Thursday morning.

Murphy picked up the suspension at Plumpton on Monday when the local stewards found him guilty of improper riding on Semi Precious.

The ban is due to start on St Stephen's Day - just three days after the appeal hearing - and will rule Murphy out until New Year’s Day, meaning he will miss the ride on either Our Vic or Therealbandit in the King George VI Chase as well as a number of other high-profile mounts.