Casela Park (centre, green and white silks) in action at Newcastle

  PICTURE: John Grossick  

Date set for Casela Park non-trier hearing

A DATE has been set to determine whether the trainer and rider of Casela Park, who finished sixth at Newcastle on August 4, breached the non-trier rules.

A BHA disciplinary panel will meet on September 22 to decide if rider Jason Behan is in breach of rule (b)59.2 in that he intentionally failed to ensure Casela Park ran to its merits, and if trainer Eamon Tyrrell is in breach of rule (c)45 regarding the riding instructions issued to Behan.

Racing Post analysis reported that Casela Park had looked a particularly difficult ride at Newcastle. He had been given a lot to do out the back and, although he stayed on at halfway, he hung badly when put under a little pressure. Although sixth, just two lengths separated Casela Park from the winner, Tukitinyasok.

Curragh-based trainer Tyrrell said after the race:  "The horse is a very difficult ride. He has been all his life.

"The reason he didn't make the running today was he ran free at Leopardstown for me and ended up finishing fourth, and I thought if we dropped him in today it would make all the difference, especially with 9st 13lb on his back.

"The jockey himself has done nothing wrong. If they understood how difficult a ride this horse is they'd actually think the chap did a good job. In fairness to Jason I think ifhe had pulled his stick out and given him a smack he would probably have ended up over the rails."

Casela Park ran again two days later at Musselburgh, when he finished fourth of eight in a 1m handicap.