Title blow for Spencer

JAMIE SPENCER’S hopes of retaining the jockeys’ title suffered a blow yesterday after the rider was referred to the Horseracing Regulatory Authority under the ‘totting-up’ procedure.

Spencer had already been walking a tightrope after clocking up 20 days of riding bans in the past 12 months but a further offence at Newmarket has tipped him over the edge.

In an inquiry held over from Wednesday, the stewards found Spencer guilty of careless riding aboard second-placed Garafena in the Kleinwort Benson Maiden Stakes.

The offence means Spencer will now have to face the disciplinary panel of the HRA, who could impose a minimum suspension of 14 days under the cumulative rule.

Spencer already trails Ryan Moore in the race for the jockeys’ championship and, in light of his latest brush with the stewards, Moore is now a 2-9 chance with Paddy Power for the title.

The same firm go 3-1 from 9-4 about Spencer.