'I wanted to be cleared' - Sheehan frustrated by seven-day ban for Newbury ride

Jockey Gavin Sheehan has expressed his frustration at not being cleared of a charge for failing to ask his mount for a timely, real and substantial effort at Newbury last month, with his suspension halved to seven days at an appeal on Thursday.

The independent disciplinary panel deemed the ride on 250-1 shot Beaufort to not be schooling or conditioning in public, and quashed trainer Warren Greatrex's £3,000 fine, but felt Sheehan's efforts did not comply with rule (F)37 with his suspension running from Friday to Thursday.

Beaufort, described by Sheehan as "not an easy ride", has a history of suffering exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage, with bleeding found by a vet 48 hours after finishing 13th of 16 at Newbury on December 16, and has also undergone two soft palate operations and Hobday surgery.