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10 and 5 day bans for Hand & Fox

The Tony Martin trained White Arm caught the attention of the StewardsThe Tony Martin trained White Arm caught the attention of the Stewards
© Photo Healy Racing

Daniel Hand and Ger Fox were given ten and five day suspensions by the Stewards at Killarney.

Hand was adjudged to have not taken reasonable measures to achieve his best possible position aboard the Tony Martin trained White Arm in the sixth, while Fox was found guilty of improper riding aboard Zuccotti Park in the third.

Below is the full text to both enquiries.

RACE 3 Incident

The Stewards enquired into incidents between the third last and second last hurdles involving Chute Hall ridden by R.M. Power, placed first and Zuccotti Park, ridden by G.N. Fox, placed third, where it appeared Chute Hall received interference when racing on the inside.

Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were of the opinion that G.N. Fox had caused the incidents by riding improperly and suspended him for 5 racedays.

RACE 6

The Stewards enquired into the running and riding of White Arm (FR), ridden by Mr D.J. Hand, and trained by A.J.Martin.

Evidence was heard from the rider and trainer concerned.

Mr D.J. Hand, stated that he was instructed to nurse this big green horse around and to ride the bends wide, keep him company and to do his best.

He added that in riding his mount jumped well and apart from riding wide on all bends as instructed, he made up ground in the straights by pushing and kicking him.

He felt that he was still going well until his mount began to whinny at the second last and at the final fence and again on pulling up, a fact that he failed to report.

A.J.Martin, confirmed the instructions but was critical of the amount of ground that his charge had conceded when racing very wide.

He also felt that the rider failed to grab a hold of his mount and ask him to race. In his opinion his charge will be put away until the back end of the year as he needs winter ground.

The Stewards also received a report from the Turf Club Veterinary Officer who stated that White Arm (FR) was post race normal and had lost a hind shoe.

Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards noted the explanation of A.J. Martin. In relation to Mr D.J. Hand, the Stewards were of the opinion that he was in breach of Rule 212 and suspended him for 10 racedays.

The Stewards also cautioned Mr D.J. Hand for failing to report the whinnying as required under Rule 213.

About Donal Murphy
Donal graduated from Maynooth University in 2010 with a BBS in Equine Business and since attained a diploma in Sports Journalism from Dublin Business School. He holds a variety of roles in the horse racing industry, reporting for the Press Association and p2p.ie, while also working for SIS and the Tote. From Wexford, he is a keen runner and has completed over 100 parkruns at various locations around the country.