Murphy appeal date set to be delayed

Timmy Murphy now looks unlikely to have his appeal against a seven-day ban heard at the Jockey Club tomorrow.

Murphy lodged his appeal against the ban, which starts on St Stephen's Day and rules him out until New Year’s Day, yesterday and the Jockey Club had been hoping for a swift conclusion as the appeal board is already scheduled to sit on another case tomorrow.

However, Murphy’s legal team have indicated they may need more time to prepare so the hearing could be held next week instead.

“At this stage it is looking a little unlikely that the appeal will be heard tomorrow but we will be exhausting all the options in trying to stage it,” said John Maxse, public relations director for the Jockey Club.

“If the appeal can’t go ahead tomorrow, we will be looking for a date at the start of next week.”

Murphy received the ban on Monday after the Plumpton stewards found him guilty of improper riding and the week-long suspension rules him out of the ride on either Our Vic or Therealbandit in the Stan James King George VI Chase.