Pretty Polly result stands and Jamie Spencer still misses July Cup after two appeals dismissed

Appeals centred on the Pretty Polly Stakes by both the connections of the runner-up Stay Alert and the winning rider Jamie Spencer have been dismissed by an Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board panel 

Connections of Stay Alert lodged an appeal against the result of the Curragh Group 1 after Hughie Morrison's filly took a bump at a crucial stage when mounting her challenge as a result of the Spencer-ridden Via Sistina drifting markedly right in the closing stages, hampering Rosscarbery, who then interfered with Stay Alert.

The stewards at the Curragh on Irish Derby weekend ruled that Via Sistina had not improved her finishing position as a result of causing interference, which aggrieved Morrison, who felt Stay Alert would win the appeal "if justice is seen to be done".

However, the appeal was dismissed on Tuesday morning, confirming Via Sistina as the winner of the €177,000 first prize with Stay Alert's connections collecting €57,000 for second.

Jamie Spencer: misses July Cup mount on KhaademCredit: Edward Whitaker

The process was bittersweet for Spencer, though, as while he was confirmed to have kept the race on the George Boughey-trained Via Sistina, his appeal against the severity of a six-day careless riding ban was dismissed.

It means Spencer, who is on the crest of a wave after a double at Royal Ascot to go with his Pretty Polly success, will miss the ride on Khaadem in Saturday's July Cup at Newmarket.

The duo teamed up for a shock 80-1 success in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at the royal meeting but Spencer will now be serving his ban during Newmarket's July festival.

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