Patrick Cowley handed 42-day non-trier ban for Fontwell ride

Conditional jockey Patrick Cowley has been suspended for 42 days for failing to achieve the best possible placing aboard Get Supreme at Fontwell in September, but trainer Brian Barr was found not to have breached any rules.

An independent disciplinary panel on Friday considered whether the rider demonstrably asked for sufficient effort and if Barr had also breached BHA rules by not giving the 3lb claimer adequate riding instructions. The panel found the nature of the ride was intentional but not pre-planned.

Get Supreme was banned from running for 40 days by raceday stewards after finishing fifth of nine – beaten 27 lengths – in division two of the 2m3f handicap hurdle at Fontwell on September 14 under Cowley.

2.05 Fontwell: expert analysis and race replay

After watching several replays of the race and the eight-year-old's previous starts, Cowley told the panel: "I've learned things about the horse and when I have asked him a question in the past he hasn't followed through but faded away when placed under pressure.

"I had that very much in mind at Fontwell. I think not being as vigorous as I might be on another horse, and actually trying to support him as much as I can, helped the horse finish better than previously. I rode him to achieve his best possible finishing position."

Cowley reiterated his instructions were to position Get Supreme in a handier position than his previous start with a view to him finishing his race off better, which the jockey argued he was able to achieve.

Brian Barr: 'I've worked with Patrick for a long time'

"Get Supreme has a mind of his own," said Barr, who described it as an ill-judged ride. "He's shown no winning form and might not in his future. It was my gut feeling Patrick did the best he could. He did not try to stop Get Supreme and there's nothing sinister at play here.

"I've worked with Patrick for a long time. I trust him and he's done what he thought was best. To my mind he's accepted defeat early, as have the riders around him after the last. They're all beaten horses. His body language at that point is the same as those other jockeys.

"Could he have finished a lot closer with a more vigorous ride? Quite possibly. He was honest after the race. I can call him a liar and sack him but I won't sack someone for doing what they felt was best."

Asked whether the true position was Cowley knowing from Barr he did not have to achieve the best position, the trainer added: "I don't train enough winners for them not to try. In any case, why would you take a horse that's bang out of form and not try. It makes no sense."

The in-running comment

Took keen hold, raced wide early, prominent, lost position 4 out, soon dropped to rear, ridden briefly after 3 out, nudged along and no impression from 2 out, never near to challenge

Read this next:

Former assistant trainer disqualified for 15 months after striking horses

John Berry fails to persuade panel to intervene in controversial Pontefract race

If you are concerned about your gambling and are worried you may have a problem, click here to find advice on how you can receive help