Walsh misses Newbury after BHA reject appeal

RUBY WALSH has had his appeal against a three-day ban imposed on him by the Cheltenham stewards last weekend thrown out by a BHA disciplinary panel on Thursday morning meaning he misses Newbury's Super Saturday meeting next week.

Walsh picked up the ban after being found guilty of careless riding aboard the demoted Pearl Swan in the JCB Triumph Hurdle Trial last Saturday.

The rider expressed his disappointment at losing the appeal but added that he plans toask for the second day of the ban, which runs from February 11-13, to be deferred as it falls on Grade 1 Hennessy Gold Cup day at Leopardstown.

"There's not an awful to say other than I'm very disappointed," said Walsh after the disciplinary panel gave their verdict at High Holborn in central London.

"I will definitely be applying to get the second day deferred."

Walsh, who was booked on an 11am flight from Heathrow in order to ride The Midnight Club at Clonmel on Thursday afternoon, had decided to represent himself at the hearing.

Despite accepting the finding of careless riding by the Cheltenham stewards that led to first-past-the-post Pearl Swan being demoted to second place behind short-head runner-up Grumeti, Walsh was at odds with the three-day penalty.

He unsuccessfully argued that the interference had been minimal and maintained the offence did not merit a three-day suspension, especially considering his last ban for careless riding in Britain was over four years ago.

Announcing the reason for their decision, Charlie Warde-Alam, chairman of the disciplinary panel, said: "The panel found that Mr Walsh had allowed his horse to drift right handed from the half-furlong marker to shortly before the line causing Mr [Wayne] Hutchinson, the rider of Grumeti, to be taken off his
intended line. The panel dismissed the appeal and confirmed the three-day suspension."

Walsh's argument was based on his view that he had allowed Pearl Swan "to follow" Wayne Hutchinson and Grumeti towards the favoured stands' rail, as oppose to the view of Lyn Williams, representing the BHA, who said Pearl Swan "showed a clear tendency to hang" in that direction.

"On the day, due to time constraints and whatever else, I was never given the opportunity by the stipendiary stewards to giveany mitigating evidence. They asked Mr Hutchinson if he had anything to say but they never asked me.

"What I would have said was the last time I was in-front of the stewards for careless riding in the UK was when I received a severe caution on 21st of the first, 2008. That's four years ago, I've had over 700 rides in the UK since and I think my record speaks for its self.

"All I'm asking for this morning is for my penalty to be reduced and brought into line with a minimal riding offence - it was merely a glance and interference was absolutely minimum.        

"We've barley come together and when we have I've changed my whip. Mr Hutchinson intended line is up the rail, he's allowed his horse to drift out. After I was clear of Jason Maguire I've changed my whip into my left hand to move back across.

"You have to know which course you're riding on, the standard of riding is all about the tactical awareness of where the best place is. At Cheltenham the vast majority of winners come up the stands rail. It's a huge advantage."

The panel's decision to uphold the ban means Walsh will miss the ride on Stan James Champion Hurdle hope Zarkandar when he makes his intended comeback in the £152,500 Betfair Hurdle at Newbury. Warde-Alamalso ordered Walsh's deposit to be forfeited.