Donagh Meyler received a hefty twenty-one day ban for his ride on Indian Fairy in the first at Clonmel this evening, while Brian Hayes was suspended for four days for his ride on Abolitionist in the fifth.

Below are the Stewards reports into both incidents.

RACE 1

The Stewards enquired into the running and riding of Indian Fairy ridden by Donagh Meyler and trained by Eoin Doyle.

Evidence was heard from the rider and the trainer concerned.

Donagh Meyler stated that he was instructed to jump his mount off in mid-division to jump his way into the race and to do his best. He stated that he missed the break, was further back than required and was unable to make up any ground as the field bunched but his mount travelled well until hanging further to the left on racing down the hill on both circuits.

He further added that he slapped his mount down the shoulder before the second last flight and after the last flight his mount recovered from a mistake and took off up the inner to finish well under a good push.

He said that he didn’t resort to the whip as he can be weak using it in his left hand.

He accepted that he had failed to report at first instance to a racing official that his mount had hung in running.

Eoin Doyle stated that he was disappointing with the ride even allowing for the fact that the rider was young and inexperienced.

The Stewards also received a report from the Turf Club Veterinary Officer who stated that Indian Fairy was post-race normal.

Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards noted the trainers explanation.

They were of the opinion that Donagh Meyler was in breach of Rule 212 and consequently suspended him for 21 race days and ordered that he forfeit his riding fee having taken his inexperience into consideration.

They further order Meyler to attend race for one days tuition on race riding technique .

The Stewards also found Doyle and Meyler to be in breach of Rule 212 by failing to report that Indian Fairy was hanging and cautioned both persons concerning their responsibilities in this regard.

The Stewards felt that there were some mitigating circumstances for Eoin Doyle's breach of Rule 213.

RACE 5

The Stewards enquired into the running and riding of Abolitionist ridden by Brian Hayes and trained by John Joseph Hanlon.

Evidence was heard from the rider and trainer concerned.

Hayes stated that he was instructed to jump his mount off in the last quarter of the field to give him a chance to gain confidence in jumping and to do his best.

He added that he was satisfied with his mount until the first fence across the top of the track where there was faller and consequently his mount began to hang from thereon.

He felt on racing down the hill that his mount did not feel great and hung out further from which point he thought that his chance was gone and did not get hard on his mount thereafter.

He further added that the fall of Sizing India at the final fence impeded his own mount and in the circumstance he considered that he attained his best possible placing under a reasonable ride.

Hanlon stated that this animal was always wrong and had changed ownership since last year.

He added that he included in the instructions to ride wide and to allow the animal to see his fences and to do his best.

He thought in running his charge was beaten at the bottom of the hill and added that in his opinion todays distance of two miles was too sharp and a further six furlong to a mile on good ground would be more to his liking.

The Stewards also received a report from the Turf Club Veterinary Officer who stated that Abolitionist was coughing post race.

Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards noted the evidence of the trainer and rider having taken the vets findings into account.

The Stewards did however find Hanlon and Hayes to be breach of Rule 213 by failing to report at the first instance to a racing official that Abolitionist was hanging and consequently fined Hanlon €250 this being his first offence in this regard and further suspended Hayes for four racedays having taken his previous recording into account for this ruled breach.

The Steward also advised Hayes to familiarise himself with the provision of Rule 213.