Holland to appeal Warwick ban

Darryll Holland is to lodge an appeal against the 21-day ban he received for failing to ride out for third place on the Mick Channon-trained Gold Maha at Warwick last night.

Both Channon and Bruce Raymond, racing manager to Gold Maha's owner Jaber Abdullah, are incensed at the stewards' decision after Holland reported he felt his mount had gone lame after jumping a path and losing her action.

Channon confirmed Gold Maha returned to his West Ilsley stables lame after finishing fourth of seven, beaten a neck for third in the PSA Peugeot Citroen Long Service Maiden Fillies' Stakes.

The ban is to run from May 23 to June 12 inclusive and would rule Holland out of the Derby fixture at Epsom.

Speaking from Cologne racecourse this afternoon, Holland told Channon's website www.mickchannon.tv: "When we turned into the straight my filly jumped the path and completely lost her action.

"I thought she was lame, sat up on her and allowed her to regain her action, then I pushed her out to the line.

"I didn't know what to do and was caught in two minds. Obviously, if you think a horse is injured in any way you pull it up."

Stressing that he was thinking of the well-being of Gold Maha, he added: "I only sat still when she lost her action, and had the welfare of the filly paramount in my mind. When you feel your mount lose its action your first reaction is to stop riding."

Confirming that he will appeal against the ban, Holland went on: "I didn't know what was the right thing to do at the time. You only have a split second to decide and it can cost you five lengths. I immediately reported to the stipe (stipendiary steward) that she'd lost her action."

The length of the ban was part due to the fact that it was a second offence for Holland under Rule 156 in the last 12 months. Of that. Holland continued: "I served my punishment in December, and they've done it on a second offence, but it does seem harsh.

"The filly was green and inexperienced - it's not as though I was on a seasoned handicapper that knows its job, and she took a while to find her stride again."

Channon blasted the stewards' decision and said: "The filly jumped a path and Darryll thought she'd gone lame. He was trying to look after the filly in a difficult situation, and was caught between two rules. I can confirm she's come back lame. To give him 21 days is horrendous."

Raymond was equally vexed and said: "It was very harsh, obviously, as the filly didn't look to be stretching out very well in the straight. To cap that she's lame this morning, and I'm not sure she didn't jump a path. It was too harsh for something so trivial and Darryll has to appeal."