Ludlow jockeys lodge appeal

All seven riders suspended after a controversial race at Ludlow last Thursday have lodged an appeal with the Jockey Club.

They are contesting the 19-day penalty they received – 12 for taking the wrong course and seven for failing to pull up.

The seven riders involved are Marcus Foley (who rode Triumph Of Dubai), Timmy Murphy (Blue Savanna), Mark Nicolls (Craigmor), James Davies (Seraph), Paddy Brennan (Sigwells Club Boy), Antony Evans (Diamond Orchid) and Gabriel Hannon (Golden Fields).

Their suspensions are due to start on December 29.

“All seven have lodged an appeal against both penalties and it is not yet clear when the hearing will take place,” said Jockey Club spokesman John Maxse.

“It is only when that becomes clear that we will be able to clarify when any suspensions might start.”

Confusion began when conditional jockey Claire Stretton was sent flying from her mount Mizinky at the first flight in the Tanners Claret Juvenile Novices’ Selling Hurdle.

The obstacle had to be omitted on the final circuit while she was attended by paramedics.

As the runners turned into the home straight, where the field split into three groups, Stretton was still on the ground at the side of the dolled-off hurdle.

A trio of the runners chose to go around the outside of the obstacle and as a result avoided the stricken rider.

However, some of the field went on to the chase course, and others went to the inside of the hurdle and were forced to swerve to avoid Stretton and the paramedics.

The 20-1 winner, Dream Falcon, kept the race after jockey Rodi Greene was deemed to have taken the correct outside course, along with La Rose (Robert Thornton) and Margarets Wish (Carl Llewellyn), who finished well beaten but were promoted to second and third respectively.