Maguire to appeal ban

JASON MAGUIRE will appeal against a seven-day ban that rules him out of the ride on leading Stan James Champion Hurdle hope Peddlers Cross at Cheltenham next month.

The in-form Irishman was all set to partner the unbeaten six-year-old for Donald McCain on March 15 — but found himself in hot water with the stewards at Doncaster following his ride on the stable’s Cool Mission, runner-up to Beshabar in the three-mile beginners’ chase.

His suspension will be effective from March 9-15 inclusive. Five days of the ban was for marking the horse, with two days for using his whip with excessive frequency.