Swinbank considering appeal against fine
Alan Swinbank will reflect on events in the Turftv.co.uk Novices’ Hurdle before deciding whether to appeal against a £5,000 fine handed out by the Catterick stewards under the non-triers rule.
His 33-1 chance Ignotus, returning from a 879-day absence and ridden by 10lb claimer Thomas Thompson, finished a three-and-a-half-length second to the Nicky Richards-trained Andytown in division one of the race.
As well as fining Swinbank, the stewards banned Thompson for 21 days (12 January-1 February) while forcing Ignotus to sit out any racing action for 40 days between January 4 and February 12.
Swinbank’s Starting Point obliged as the 7-4 favourite in division two later on the card but that success did little to raise his spirits.
He said: “We’ve had a winner, but it’s a really bad start to the year.
“When people look at our statistics they’ll see that we don’t put many apprentices on our horses.
“When (assistant) Bill Haigh and I joined forces there was a girl in the yard (Jenny Benson) who begged to ride a horse (Champagne N Dreams) at Beverley and the same thing happened there.
“We were fined £1,000 then and I’ve used another kid and the same thing has happened.”
Swinbank plans to watch a re-run of the race before seeking advice on whether to appeal against the decision.
“I’ll go home and watch the race again,” he continued.
“I’ll then speak to the trainers’ federation, get some advice, and see whether or not we’ll have a chance.
“It’s just a bad way to start the year and it’s such a shame as it’s the first horse I’ve trained for Matthew Green.
“He’s a good, prominent owner, and we want these 33-1 winners. We certainly don’t want 33-1 seconds.
“We’ve got a winner on the day and we’ve got a yard full of nice horses, but you just don’t need it.
“It’s a hard enough game without getting done for £5,000 at the start of the year.”
Also of note on a muddy afternoon was the performance of No Refuge, who got off to a winning start over the larger obstacles when defying a 381-day absence.
Winner of the 2005 Royal & SunAlliance Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, the Howard Johnson-trained eight-year-old has generally found life tough in open company since.
However, he was sent off the 15-8 joint-favourite to start his fencing career in the best possible way in the Buy A 2008 Annual Badge Today Beginners’ Chase.
While showing a tendency to jump right, No Refuge was safe at his obstacles but had to fight very hard to see off the persistent challenge of Brave Rebellion, who only went down by a short head.
Denis O’Regan had to get serious with No Refuge and his urgings did not escape the attention of the stewards, who handed him a two-day ban (January 12-13) for excessive use of the whip.
Tjade Collier booted Flake home in the totescoop6 New Year Special Handicap Chase but was suspended for four days (January 12-15) for a similar offence.
