Havlin plans to appeal against 'harsh' ten-day ban for careless riding

Robert Havlin was handed a ten-day ban for careless riding on Wednesday in the opening 1m3½f handicap at Yarmouth but immediately announced his intention to appeal against the ban.

The jockey said that "the result of the interference was quite bad but I don’t think the riding offence warranted ten days".

Havlin was given the suspension after his mount, the John Gosden-trained Swift Verdict, veered left and knocked rival Dreaming Blue, ridden by Tom Marquand, on to the rail, which in turn caused My Vision, ridden by Harry Bentley, to stumble.

The stewards determined that Havlin had "failed to take sufficient action to prevent his horse from shifting left-handed" and gave the rider the ban which is set to run from Wednesday, August 5 until Friday, August 14.

Havlin was riding in the opener at Yarmouth, a handicap over 1m3½fCredit: Edward Whitaker

Of the incident, Havlin said: "I was three off the rail and gave him a few flicks with my stick on the right-hand side. He gave no indication that he was going to go right – he did shift a little bit but nothing that wouldn’t happen in a normal race. But in the space of two strides he went to the rail.

"The result of the interference was quite bad but I don’t think the riding offence warranted ten days. I’ve looked at the video and I definitely plan to appeal."

The stewards' report states that Havlin was given the suspension "for careless riding as he failed to take sufficient action to prevent his horse from shifting left-handed and used his whip in his right hand, causing Swift Verdict to shift further left."

The stewards however ruled that the placings would be unaltered, which meant Swift Verdict was confirmed as the third-placed horse.

Dreaming Blue finished sixth, while My Vision came ninth of 12 and was eased at the finish.

Havlin added: "Tom and Harry said in their evidence that they didn’t even feel the need to shout me as we were three off the rail and it all happened so quick. When I pulled up I turned to Tom and said 'God, are you all right?' and he said 'yeah, he just stepped in quick didn't he?'.

"The horse is 580 kilos, he’s a big lad and just shifted in really quickly within a couple of strides. Was I given ten days because it looked bad, or because of the actual riding offence itself?

"If it was three, four or five days then fair enough, but ten days to me seems a little harsh. It’s easy to watch it in slow motion but it didn’t happen in slow motion, it happened in real time."

Read more:

Irish Derby winner Santiago entered against Stradivarius in Goodwood Cup

Sussex-bound? Earthlight team keeping Goodwood option open for unbeaten star

Siskin has to improve against 'scary' rivals in red-hot Sussex warns Lyons

Ultimate Daily - our daily newsletters from Racing Post's experts, exclusive to the inbox of Ultimate Members' Club subscribers. To receive the newsletter subscribe at racingpost.com/members-club