Jockey Nathan Evans banned for ten days for striking Bowson Fred at Doncaster

Jockey Nathan Evans is considering an appeal against a ten-day ban given to him for striking the wayward Bowson Fred across his muzzle at Doncaster on Sunday.

Evans, who has ridden the seven-year-old on 23 of his 55 starts, was unseated from the gelding when he bolted to start, having been given permission to go to post early for the 5f handicap.

His mount was subsequently withdrawn from the race won by Camacho Chief, who provided Paul Mulrennan with his 1,000th winner, but then the problems started for Evans.

The stewards noted he struck the five-time winner on their walk back to the start, with a report stating: “Nathan Evans, the rider of Bowson Fred, which was withdrawn on veterinary advice after bolting past the start, had been unseated and as he walked back to the start, struck the gelding on its muzzle. After being interviewed and shown recordings of the incident, Evans was suspended for ten days for improper riding.”

However, Evans, 21, felt the stewards made the incident sound worse than it was and stressed that he had been having difficulties keeping control of Bowson Fred after being unseated.

"They phrased it more harmful than what it was,” Evans said. "This horse has bolted for a mile for me and I was scared riding him to be honest with you. He's normally full of himself, but I think he was far too fresh today.

"He ended up spinning around and slipped up, and I fell off him. I kept hold of him and he was taking a bit of a blow and was very wound up. He kept spinning to my left and he bites a bit at home, so I just shoved him back, out of the way; it was nothing intentional.”

Evans, who gets most of his rides for Bowson Fred's trainer Mick Easterby could try to contest the stewards' verdict.

He added: "Ten days seems a bit harsh. I'll probably speak to Paul Struthers at the PJA to see what the best thing to do is, either appeal or not. This is where you earn most of your money during the middle of the season and to take ten days at this time of year you're losing out."

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