Murphy set for appeal
Timmy Murphy has indicated he is set to appeal against the seven-day ban he incurred for throwing his whip at his mount Semi Precious at Plumpton yesterday.
Murphy, who in the last few weeks has ridden a series of big-race winners for trainer Martin Pipe and owner David Johnson, will miss any number of high-profile engagements as the ban is scheduled to start on Boxing Day and end on New Year’s Day, ruling him out of the King George VI Chase, the Welsh National and the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown.
Currently in second place behind Tony McCoy in the jockeys’ title race, Murphy is likely to announce later today that he will appeal against the ban for improper riding which came after the partnership parted company at the fourth-last in the Coral Casino Handicap Chase.
“I haven’t spoken to John Blake (chief executive of the Jockeys’ Association) but as long as he agrees with me that the seven days was harsh then I plan to appeal,” he said today.
“I did think it was a bit harsh considering what it was. My intention was to go and catch Semi Precious but the horse ran off and I threw the whip more in frustration and not for any other reason.
“I’ve only spoken to my agent Chris Broad about it so far, but there must be a good chance that I will lodge an appeal as this is a very important part of the season and although Martin’s plans are still a bit up in the air, there is so much to look forward to over the Christmas period.”
Champion owner David Johnson has decided not to approach any other jockeys for the likes of Our Vic or Therealbandit until after the expected appeal has been lodged and heard.
Johnson is not hiding his sympathy for his jockey, who this season has cemented the partnership in spectacular style by winning races like the Paddy Power Gold Cup and the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup on Celestial Gold.
Celestial Gold remains a possible for the Welsh National, while Our Vic and Therealbandit could tackle the Kempton feature on Boxing Day.
Johnson said: “It’s been a very eventful few days for us but I have no intention of approaching ‘AP’ (McCoy) or any other of the good jockeys until any appeal Timmy may lodge has been considered by the Jockey Club.
“My own view is that seven days was way too much.”
Underlining how open plans are for his embarrassment of riches in the chasing division, Johnson added: “There are still two weeks left to the King George and there is no rush to firm up our plan, while people are being a bit premature in the press suggesting that certain jockeys will be riding certain of my horses.
“Our Vic would have been first or second in the Bonusprint.com Gold Cup without his fall at the last when both he and the winner (Monkerhostin) were tired.
“It was a case of him crumbling on landing and the most important thing was that he got up to fight another day.
“Therealbandit disappointed me greatly on his comeback in a hurdle race at Cheltenham and he proved it to be all wrong when he returned there over fences last Friday.
“Martin tells me he is very well and he’ll be out very soon. If he goes for the King George he’ll be a live contender.”
