Blockley loses Curragh appeal

Paul Blockley has failed in his appeal against Wait Watcher’s relegation to second in the Shelbourne Hotel Goffs Fillies Five Hundred.

Ridden by Tadgh O’Shea, Blockley’s filly crossed the 9-4 favourite Silk Blossom, trained by Barry Hills, inside the final furlong at the Curragh on September 19.

The local stewards deemed the interference serious enough to revise the placings, but Blockley was incensed by the decision at the time and immediately stated his desire to appeal against the verdict.

With more than €337,000 on offer to the winner and €102,000 to the second, the difference of nearly €250,000 meant Blockley felt it was worth fighting for.

Following a hearing of almost two hours, the appeals committee of the Irish Turf Club agreed that interference had taken place and that it had improved the placing of Wait Watcher.

It therefore dismissed the appeal.