Killarney winner Saldier demoted on appeal

FIRST past the post in a novice chase at Killarney on May 14th, the Willie Mullins-trainer Saldier has been demoted to second by the Appeals Body and the race awarded to Vina Ardanza.

Saldier won by a nose but appeared to interfere with the runner-up when jumping to his right at the final fence. The raceday stewards found that interference had occurred “but were not satisfied on the balance of probabilities that the interference altered the result of the race” and therefore left the placings unaltered.

Alymer Stud, owners of the Gavin Cromwell-trained Vina Ardanza, lodged an appeal which was heard on Wednesday. The Appeals Body, consisting of , were satisfied that the interference did affect the finishing positions and ordered that the placings be reversed.

Blackmore gets five-day ban over Kilbeggan race

RACHAEL Blackmore will be out of action from May 31st to June 5th inclusive, having been given a five-day ban by the Referrals Committee this week. Numerous observers felt the leading jump jockey had ridden a finish a circuit too soon on Lady Rita at Kilbeggan on May 12th but, as the horse went on to finish fourth, the raceday stewards “could not be certain that her misjudgement, if any, had caused her to fail to obtain her best possible placing and therefore took no further action.”

The IHRB felt the stewards had erred and submitted the case for consideration by the Referrals Committee. On Wednesday, the Committee consisting of Noel McCaffrey, Finbar Cahill and Jack Reardan agreed that the raceday stewards had erred in not finding a rule breach. Having considered Blackmore’s record and the penalty guidelines, they imposed a five-day suspension and ordered the riding fee to be forfeited. They reminded the jockey of her responsibilities in relation to enquiries and noted that more clarity on the day at the enquiry would have assisted the raceday stewards.

Hillis wins Breeder award

PAUL Hillis has won the Connolly’s Red Mills The Irish Field Breeder of the Month award for April. From Wellingtonbridge in Co Wexford, he bred Grand National winner Corach Rambler.