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.