Jockey Paddy Kennedy received a four day suspension at Fairyhouse today having taken the wrong course on Koshere King in the www.tote.com Handicap Hurdle.
The Stewards report reads as follows:
The Stewards enquired into the fact that Toomdeely (A P Thornton) & Koshere King (P D Kennedy) both failed to jump the 3rd last hurdle , an “island hurdle” on the final circuit due to “running out “via the bypass exit & subsequently pulling up.
Both riders stated they had familiarised themselves with the track by walking it prior to racing. A Thornton stated he had no choice but to run out as he was on the inside of Koshere King & despite shouting a warning felt it might have been too late as the approach to the 4th last comes up quickly from the bend.
P Kennedy stated that he was familiar with the approach but had accidentally run out at that juncture possibly due to the bypass exit coming up quickly & the fact that he had confused the 3rd & 4th last. .Furthermore he had heard A Thornton shout a warning but it had come too late for him to respond Having considered all the evidence, the Stewards found P Kennedy in breach of Rule 212(a)(i) inasmuch as he had failed to take all reasonable measures to take the correct course.
They however took into account that this was a genuine error on his part & after taking his record into account suspended him for 4 racedays.
With regard to A Thornton they found that he had he had had no alternative as he was carried out & took no further action.
