Jockey hit with 14-day ban after stewards judge he eased down prematurely on beaten favourite

Patrick O'Brien was suspended for 14 days by raceday stewards at Roscommon on Tuesday evening after they adjudged he had stopped riding close home, costing him victory on the Eric McNamara-trained Gaelic Des Chastys in the 2m5½f handicap chase.

The 5lb claimer is having an excellent season, partnering ten winners from 92 rides, including successes for Dermot McLoughlin, Gavin Cromwell and Henry de Bromhead. He gained a notable success on the Harry Rogers-trained Cleopatra's Needle at the Galway festival last week.

• Watch a replay of the incident here

O'Brien had ridden Gaelic Des Chastys to finish fifth in a handicap hurdle at Killarney last month and his mount went off a well-supported 100-30 favourite at Roscommon. They jumped the last in front and O'Brien used his whip twice, with the pair going a couple of lengths clear and the nine-year-old hitting an in-running low of 1.07 on Betfair.

O'Brien did not use his whip in the last 50 yards, opting for hands and heels, and Ricky Doyle came with a withering late challenge on the Martin Brassil-trained It's Never Simple to get up by a short head at odds of 16-1.

How the incident happened

Gaelic Des Chastys (blue silks) approaches the final fence of the 2m5½f handicap chase at Roscommon under Patrick O'BrienCredit: Racing TV

Gaelic Des Chastys jumps the last in the leadCredit: Racing TV

Eric McNamara's gelding remains in front heading into the final 100 yardsCredit: Racing TV

It's Never Simple (right) starts to build up a strong challenge under Ricky DoyleCredit: Racing TV

The front two flash past the winning post together with It's Never Simple called as the winnerCredit: Racing TV

The stewards interviewed O'Brien "concerning where he appeared to ease his mount prematurely costing him first place". The rider stated he felt his horse "was not running on for use of the whip" and that he continued riding with hands and heels and did not feel he eased down prematurely.

After considering the evidence, the stewards found him in breach of rule 212A (iv) (a) in that he "stopped riding, costing him a better place". In considering his clean record, they suspended him for 14 days and ordered him to forfeit his riding fee.

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