THE JOCKEY Club was yesterday urged to alter the rules regarding interference in a bid to protect both jockeys and punters. The plea came in the wake of the overturning of the result of last week's controversial Newcastle race which saw easy winner Epic Stand disqualified and placed last and his jockey Fergal Lynch given a four day ban for irresponsible riding.
But at a two hour disciplinary hearing yesterday, Epic Stand was reinstated but Lynch had only the category of his offence reduced to careless riding.
After the hearing Lynda Ramsden, Epic Stand's trainer, felt aggrieved that Lynch's punishment had not been quashed. She said: "I think it's clear that the only irresponsibility that anybody has showed, never mind irresponsible riding, was the decision of the stewards and stewards' secretary at Newcastle.
"I think it's very harsh that Fergal has still got four days. I'm surprised. When the interference does take place Epic Stand is three quarters the way through the gap.
"Something out of this has got to come where you don't just get horses thrown out. Punters are being robbed. They don't get their money back when the decision is reversed."
