Darryll Holland is to miss the prestigious York August meeting after falling foul of the Ascot stewards and being found guilty of careless riding on the David Nicholls-trained Flak Jacket, a heavily-backed 11-8 favourite for the Sanatogen Gold Handicap at the Berkshire course today.
Flak Jacket was involved in two separate incidents in which he caused interference, first to Forgotten Times just over a furlong out and then to Rita`s Rock Ape on the run to the line.
Holland struck Flak Jacket several times with his whip in his left hand, leaving a fairly clear-cut case for the Stewards, who allowed the placings to remain unchanged.
They banned him for four days for careless riding, starting on August 22, which in turn triggered a further five-day deferred suspension, which had been hanging over the jockey from a previous offence.
The scrimmaging which Flak Jacket sparked should not detract from a fine performance by the winner Dancing Mystery, who endeda frustrating run of seconditis for trainer Eric Wheeler and jockey Stephen Carson.
Wheeler explained: 'Stephen`s ridden a dozen seconds and I`ve had that many of them lately I`ve lost count. Every time I go anywhere Ken Ivory beats me, but I managed to turn it round with him today!
'Dancing Mystery`s a nice five-furlong horse with plenty of pace and he`s owned by John Sutton who lives nearby.'
On Early Morning Mist in the Ideal Printers Maiden Fillies` Stakes, Holland immediately bounced back, forcing Mark Johnston`s filly past the hot favourite Farha inside the final furlong.
Johnston, who had missed out with three horses beaten in photos at the course 24 hours earlier, was represented by his assistant Bobby Elliot, who explained: 'This filly ran green on her debut at Catterick where the track wasn`t exactly ideal.
'While I don t think this was a great contest by Ascot standards it showed that she`s going the right way and I m sure she`ll improve again.'
Papabile, a full-sister to high class miler Grand Lodge, had trainer Willie Jarvis bristling with confidence for a step into Group company folliwng her length and a half victory over market rival Courting in the betinternet.com plc Valiant Stakes.
The progressive Papabile, winner of two handicaps before plundering this Listed contest under a fine ride from Ray Cochrane, is set for a career in the paddocks and will be retired to owner Lady Howard de Walden`s Plantation Stud at the end of the year.
Courting set a perfect target for Cochrane to stalk as she tried to burn off her rivals one by one, but Papabile proved a tougher nut to crcak and swooped to conquer at the distance.
Jarvis, beaming with delight in the winner s circle, said: 'It s so thrilling to have a filly who is a sister to Grand Lodge, the best horse I`ve trained. Just to have a good horse again for Lord Howard is so exciting, and I think we`ll look for a Group race now, but I don't know where.'
