Jockey Fergal Lynch was handed down a 15-day suspension from the Jockey Club in London arising out of an incident at Beverley racecourse last month.
The panel found Lynch to be in breach of Rule 158 and, as it was his third offence in two years, suspended him from October 31 to November 17 on days when Flat racing takes place.
Lynch was said to have failed to take all reasonable and permissible measures throughout the Michael Bradley Memorial Handicap on September 17 and particularly in the final three furlongs to ensure that his horse was given a full opportunity of obtaining the best possible placing.
Platinum Charmer, a 20-1 chance and trained by Kevin Ryan, finished 10th of 14 behind Loves Travelling.
Lynch stated that his instructions were to be prominent, give the gelding a chance to get the trip and get him home. He said that the gelding boiled over in the paddock, had been awkward on the way to the start, and had been interfered with coming out of the stalls.
He said that the gelding was never travelling well and could not have finished any closer. However, the panel rejected this excuse as, in their opinion, the gelding appeared capable of obtaining a better placing under a stronger ride.
Filed by James McMahon
