Inexperienced claimer hit with massive 50-day ban

Inexperienced 7lb. claimer Thomas Doran received a massive 50-day ban following his handling of Massini’s Trap, third to The Ring Is King in the opening Paddy Smyth Memorial Maiden Hurdle in Ballinrobe last night.

The James Nash-trained Massini’s Trap came from well off the pace and finished well in third place, little more than two lengths behind The Ring Is King (a flat winner on this track last month), prompting a predictable ‘running and riding’ enquiry.

Evidence was heard from the trainer and rider involved, Doran commenting that his mount jumped adequately and stayed on well. And, significantly, he admitted that, if he had ridden Massini’s Trap more prominently, “he would probably have won”.