Eddie O’Connell may appeal landmark four-year ban

Jockey Eddie O’Connell has until next week to lodge an appeal against the landmark four-year ban on racing corruption charges he got from the Turf Club on Monday and, meanwhile, is free to ride at Sligo this evening.

The Co Kildare jockey teams up with trainer Steve Mahon for the outsider Noble Pageant in a two and a half mile handicap hurdle.

Yesterday O'Connell's solicitor Andrew Coonan said an appeal against the suspension is under consideration and commented: "We have seven days to lodge an appeal. We have discussed the issue obviously and we will discuss it more during this week and over the weekend. But an appeal is being very much considered."

O’Connell was banned by the regulatory body after an investigation into betting irregularities on a horse he rode at Downpatrick in September of 2011. He was also ordered to pay €10,000 towards Turf Club costs in relation to their investigation.

Racing opens at Sligo with a maiden hurdle where the Barry Connell owned Killiney Court can defy official figures and get the better of Jimmy Two Times.

Today's rival
The pair clashed at Navan in January when both were out of the places behind Aklan although Killiney Court did better than today's rival by finishing eighth.

He hasn’t raced since but Jimmy Two Times has and earned a 119 rating for finishing runner up to Blow The Doors Off at Gowran in March. He has 5lbs officially in hand of Killiney Court but Colm Murphy’s runner can confirm Navan form.

In the concluding bumper Cracked Rear View renews hostilities with Minellacelebration after finishing ahead in a point to point just over a fortnight ago. Noel Meade’s newcomer Grand Diem is an unknown but preference is for Cracked Rear View.