O’Neill hit with lengthy ban

Dane O’Neill has been suspended for 15 days, three of which have been deferred, at a hearing of the British Horseracing Authority's disciplinary panel.

The Flat jockey had to face an inquiry under the totting-up procedure following his riding of third-placed Hermione’s Magic in the St Nicholas Hospice Care Fillies’ Handicap Stakes at Newmarket on May 14.

The local stewards referred the matter to the BHA as O’Neill had already been suspended for 24 days for interference during the previous 12 months.

The panel accepted an admission from O’Neill that he was guilty of careless riding, in that shortly before the two-furlong marker, he made a manoeuvre to his left causing interference to Richard Mullen, the rider of the unplaced Surprise Party.

O’Neill’s suspension will run from May 29 to June 12 with the three remaining days deferred until July 28.