Carroll faces inquiry over Pearl run

Trainer Declan Carroll and apprentice Neil Brown have been called to the Jockey Club over the running and riding of Pearl Fisher at Wolverhampton last month.

Following a review by the Jockey Club’s monitoring system, Pearl Fisher’s performance in the Labourforce Services Handicap on February 12 has been referred to the disciplinary panel for an inquiry.

The filly, making her British debut after being trained in Ireland by Martin Browne, finished ninth of 11 runners, beaten about nine lengths at 66-1.

Carroll, who is based at York, has been charged with a breach of Rule 155 (ii) in relation to the instructions given to the rider, and 7lb claimer Brown with a breach of Rule 157.

That deals with cases where in the opinion of the stewards a rider has intentionally failed to ensure a horse runs on its merits.

Connections of the four-year-old filly found themselves in hot water on her next run, also at Wolverhampton 13 days later, when she finished 11th of 12 in a handicap over eight and a half furlongs.

The stewards suspended her rider, 7lb claimer Danielle McCreery, for seven days for failing to take all reasonable and permissible measures throughout the race to obtain the best possible placing. Carroll was found not to be in breach of Rule 155 on that occasion.

A provisional date of March 23 has been set for the hearing at Shaftesbury Avenue.