Russell cautioned – 1.15pm update
The Turf Club has cautioned Davy Russell after examining footage from Tramore this month which appeared to show the high-profile jump jockey aiming a blow at his mount Kings Dolly at Tramore on 19 August.
Footage appeared to show the jockey striking the horse at a practice flight before the Flynn Hotel Group Mares Handicap Hurdle at the Friday evening fixture, subsequently creating a stir on social media.
The raceday stewards were not aware of the matter, but the Turf Club has the authority to look into the matter and take retrospective action where appropriate.
The incident was fully investigated and the referrals committee convened at Killarney at midday on Saturday.
Denis Egan, the Turf Club’s chief executive, told Press Association Sport: “The decision was that he [Russell] was guilty of rule 272(i) and he has been issued with a caution.
“They [the referrals committee] accepted the explanation he gave, in that he wanted the horse to concentrate and that it was inappropriate to use the whip in the circumstances. He wanted the horse to concentrate and he used his hand. He accepted that was inappropriate.” PA
Today’s ITV races, by Greg Wood
Five of the last 10 winners of the Ebor Handicap have started at 20-1 or bigger and just one favourite has obliged since 1998. Flymetothestars seems likely to carry the uneasy mantle of favouritism for this year’s renewal but, apart from Sir Mark Prescott’s well-earned reputation as a master of the art of getting one ready for a big handicap, his overall form does not justify his price and he is drawn in stall 21.
Ivan Grozny, useful both on the Flat and over hurdles for Willie Mullins, will also be popular but his form, over jumps at least, seemed to level off last season and he must defy a mark of 105.
The ultra-consistent Nakeeta should not be far away and is a fair each-way chance at 14-1 but Roger Varian’s Battersea (3.35), fourth home last year from a 2lb higher mark, makes more appeal at a similar price. Unraced since May, he has gone well fresh in the past and has the useful claimer David Egan taking off another 5lb.
York 1.55 Mustashry has clearly not been an easy horse to train but showed the benefit of his delayed return to action when successful in a handicap at Chelmsford last time, despite being forced very wide on the home turn. Little improvement is needed to make the step up to Group Three level here.
Goodwood 2.10 Verandah looked useful when successful in a maiden first time up and has plenty of scope but Billesdon Brook is proving to be a tough and consistent juvenile for Richard Hannon and will offer a stern test for the favourite. At the likely odds, Billesdon Brook gets the nod.
York 2.25 The ground was heavy at Newbury last month when Intellect spreadeagled his field in a 12-furlong handicap, which casts a little doubt on the value of the form. The time of the race was very solid, however, and, with just three runs under his belt, he could yet prove to be just as effective on a sounder surface. At around 7-1, it is a chance worth taking.
Goodwood 2.45 Burnt Sugar produced his best run of the season when a close second at Thirsk last time out and, while his hold-up running style is a concern, he has done well to draw stall six. He could run a big race at a double-figure price.
York 3.00 Headway raced alone and floundered on the heavy ground in the Richmond Stakes at Goodwood last time, but his earlier close second in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot is a match for any form in the field and William Haggas knows what it takes to land this race, with three wins in the last 11 years.
Goodwood 3.20 Lightning Spear and the lightly raced Zonderland were first and second in this race 12 months ago and may have it between them once more. The latter has more scope for further progress after just eight starts but is making his seasonal debut and could not cope with Lightning Spear’s turn of foot last season. David Simcock’s runner may just have the edge again.
Tips for all Saturday races
Goodwood
1.35 Kareva 2.10 Billesdon Brook 2.45 Burnt Sugar 3.20 Lightning Spear 3.55 Call To Mind 4.30 Reaver 5.05 Just In Time
Chester
1.50 Barbarianatthegate 2.30 Fujin 3.05 Guishan 3.40 Sable Island 4.15 Echo Of Lightning 4.45 See Of Rome 5.20 Katebird
York
1.55 Mustashry 2.25 Intellect 3.00 Headway (nb) 3.35 Battersea (nap) 4.10 Bengali Boys 4.40 Uae Prince 5.15 Mayleaf Shine
Newmarket
2.05 Balletomane 2.40 Finsbury Park 3.15 Plant Pot Power 3.50 Hochfeld 4.25Lancelot Du Lac 5.00 Bahamian Dollar 5.35 Foxy Forever
Cartmel
2.15 Knockmaole Boy 2.45 Pretty Miss Mahler 3.25 Flying Eagle 4.00 Pekanheim 4.35 Shake It Up 5.10 Beeno 5.45 Ange Des Malbereux
Redcar
4.50 Haymarket 5.25 Mistress Of Venice 5.55 Escape The City 6.25 Bamber Bridge 6.55 Insurplus 7.25 Bodacious Name 7.55 Someone Exciting
Windsor
5.10 Tiepolo 5.40 Arctic Flower 6.10 Across The Stars 6.40 Chain Of Daisies 7.10 Field Of Vision 7.40 The Secrets Out
