Sackville's trainer Frances Crowley said yesterday that she will use "the best available" for the Christmas ride on the Gold Cup second favourite if regular jockey David Casey is ruled out of action.
Crowley's dilemma for the Ericsson Chase comes as Casey and Mouse Morris confirmed their intention to appeal against the controversial penalties imposed on them on Saturday by the Navan stewards regarding the running and riding of His Song.
The horse, having his first run since early February, finished last of four behind Limestone Lad but afterwards, the stewards decided the racecourse had been used as a schooling ground, fined Morris £500, banned His Song for 42 days and suspended Casey for seven days.
A furious Morris initially said he would take the matter all the way to the High Court if necessary but yesterday ruled out such a course of action. However, he will lodge an appeal to the Turf Club today and remains convinced the stewards have got it badly wrong.
"I want to clear my name. I've been in this game, as a jockey and a trainer, for 30 years and I've only ever picked up one fine, for forgetting to weigh in," Morris said.
"Even on mature reflection, I think this is very severe and they've got it wrong. In the circumstances, with the horse having such a history of problems and not having run in such a long time, maybe a caution could have been given but this is unbelievable.
"Using the racecourse as a training ground is very ambiguous and covers a multitude. I don't need the racecourse to train them as I've some of the best facilities in Ireland.
"I will be appealing and the owner David Lloyd (the former British Davis Cup tennis captain) is absolutely disgusted. He has spent a fortune having this horse operated on and giving him the time to come back.
"The horse jumped very slowly and got detached but still finished where he should have. Unsinkable Boxer, who finished third, is rated 139 and we're 130," Morris said.
Frances Crowley added : "I hope David gets off but if he doesn't we will try and get the best available to ride Sackville."
There will be no shortage of candidates for the mount, possibly including Barry Geraghty, who has ridden the horse 11 times.
