John Murtagh was hit with a two-day suspension at Naas yesterday after using his whip in the forehand position on Eymir, who was beaten a short-head by Key Provider in the Oldtown Stud Race.
The Meathman, who currently leads the jockeys' championship on the 20 winner mark, admitted to using the whip in the forbidden position three times in the closing stages, but in his defence stated that he could not use his stick behind the saddle as the eventual winner was very close to his mount. The ban runs from May 27th-28th.
April Starlight could be part of the Ballydoyle team at Royal Ascot next month after making a winning debut in the Woodlands EBF Maiden. The Storm Bird filly, out of a half sister to Irish Derby heroine Balanchine and well supported at 8 to 11, led two furlongs out and Christy Roche rode her out with hands and heels to hold Beauty Go Leor by half a length.
The O'Brien-Roche team doubled up in the Brophy Farrell Auctioneers Maiden when Coconut Creek edged out Magical Peace by a short-head in a titanic finish.
The ex-John Gosden trained Greenstead landed some nice bets when making a successful debut over timber in the Floods Horse Feeds Maiden Hurdle. Charlie Swan sent the Green Dancer gelding to the front approaching two out for a comfortable length and a half win from Wood Leopard.
As Royal followed up his novice hurdle win on very testing ground at the Punchestown Festival when just prevailing from Spanky on a much faster surface in the Dawn Farm Distribution Gateway To Europe Handicap Hurdle under Shay Barry. The Waterford rider was severely cautioned for using his whip with excessive force.
Chauncy Lane could make a quick reappearance in the Saval Beg Stakes at Leopardstown on Wednesday after leading inside the final furlong to beat Hazarama by a length and a half in the Go Racing In Kildare Handicap.
At Cork on Saturday, John Oxx and Johnny Murtagh were the team in form when completing a treble, highlighted by the success of Canzona in the £20,000 Murphys Handicap.
