O'Neill suspended for improper riding

Dane O'Neill has been suspended for 28 days after being found guilty of improper riding, having used his whip with excessive frequency aboard Suhayl Star at Kempton on February 27.

The stewards referred the matter to the British Horseracing Authority as O'Neill had already been suspended for 25 days for misuse of the whip during the previous 12 months.

His 28-day suspension consists of 10 days for misuse of the whip and 18 days under the 'totting up' procedure, with nine to be deferred for four months until July 13, 2008.

The suspension will run from March 14 to April 4 on days when Flat racing is due to take place.

Keiran Burke was banned for 12 days (March 14-26) and must attend the British Racing School on a day to be arranged after the BHA panel also found him guilty of improper riding.

The rider used his whip with excessive frequency on Even More at Chepstow on February 23.

Also hit with a significant ban was Miss Jodie Hughes, whose ride on Balloughton at Leicester on February 26 led to her being referred to the BHA.

Hughes was deemed to have used her whip with excessive frequency, without giving her mount time to respond, and without having regard for the gelding's stride pattern.

She will miss 16 days, 15 of which will run from March 15 to April 7 on days when amateur riders jump races are due to take place, with the remaining day to be spent at the British Racing School.