Ten-day ban for Murphy

Michael Murphy was in trouble with the stewards at Fontwell after mistaking the winning post on favourite Lady Malousa in the Morgan Ashurst Novices’ Handicap Chase.

Although the five-year-old was held by eventual winner Vibe after jumping the final fence, she looked booked for second until Murphy eased up going over a path on the run-in and although he soon realised his error, he was beaten a short-head into third.

The stewards gave the jockey a 10-day suspension and while the mare’s trainer Brendan Duke felt the punishment was fair, he believes all is not well with his charge.

“I feel really sorry for Michael as the horse has lost its action running to the last and again halfway up the run-in,” said Duke.

“At the end of the day he has mistaken the line, but he was worried that there was something wrong with the horse.

“I explained to the stewards that I thought this mare had a problem and that I would be examining her next week after giving her a few days to recover. If there is anything wrong, I will report to the powers that be.

“We have no dispute with the stewards as he did mistake the winning line, but he was worried about the horse as much as anything else and he did think about pulling her up earlier as he thought she was breaking down.

“He is only a young man and it is very difficult as he is trying to make sure that she is not injured.”