Martin considers Lad appeal

Trainer Tony Martin is still considering an appeal against Davids Lad’s 42-day suspension incurred at Naas yesterday.

The nine-year-old was banned from running until April 6 by the Irish stewards, who ruled that the racecourse had been used as a training ground as the horse trailed in last under Timmy Murphy in the Paddy & Helen Cox Memorial Newlands Chase.

The ban rules him out of the Cheltenham Festival, where he could have contested the Mildmay Of Flete Chase, and the Martell Cognac Grand National for which he was general second favourite.

Martin was also given a €1,000 fine and Murphy suspended for seven days.

Martin plans to speak to owners the Eddie Joe’s Racing Syndicate before deciding about an appeal.

“You have to be very disappointed by what happened. Timmy was very tender with him but knows the horse best and that’s all you can really say,” said Martin.

“We are considering an appeal. We‘ll talk it over with the owners later today and obviously we have to think about it.”

Davids Lad was returning from a lengthy lay-off in the two-mile chase after finishing last of four to Foxchapel King at Fairyhouse at the end of November.

The horse finished distressed that day and Martin blamed a wind problem which sometimes affects the horse on soft or heavy ground.

However, he reported the gelding to be fine today and said: “There’s nothing wrong with the horse yet but we will look again later and will see then.”