Murtagh will contest Lingfield ban

Johnny Murtagh has lodged an appeal over a three-day ban that would cost him the ride on ante-post favourite Motivator in the Vodafone Derby.

The Jockey Club confirmed today that the jockey will contest Tuesday’s decision by the Lingfield stewards to suspended him for careless riding.

He was found to have caused interference in the early stages of the Lingfield Leisure Club Median Auction Maiden Stakes – which he eventually won on Miss Brush – having cut across to the rails from his high draw.

The dates of the ban are June 4 – Derby Day – 5 and 6.

“He has appealed and the hearing is likely to be heard next Wednesday or Thursday, but no date has yet been agreed,” said Jockey Club spokesman Owen Byrne.

Next Thursday is the 48-hour final declaration stage for the premier Classic at Epsom.

Darryll Holland has been put on stand-by by Motivator’s connections to take the plum ride should Murtagh lose his appeal.

John Blake, chief executive of the Jockeys Association, revealed that they had requested for the appeal to be heard next Wednesday.

He said: “Once we decided to appeal after viewing the video we took the opportunity of lodging the appeal as soon as we could to give the Jockey Club as much time as possible to organise the hearing.

“We have politely requested for it to be held next Wednesday if the Jockey Club can get a panel together. If it is held on Thursday it would be too close to the wire for the 11.30am jockeys’ declaration time.

“There is also the knock-on effect for other jockeys. A Wednesday hearing would give Darryll Holland time to re-align for the Derby. There is also the question of connections’ horses in other races to consider as well.

“Had the incident happened in the middle of November the reason to appeal would be the same and Johnny does not want three days on his record under the totting-up procedure. It could come back to haunt him later in the season.”