'We all make mistakes' - Jimmy Moffatt blasts social media abusers after jockey banned for riding finish a circuit early

Jimmy Moffatt blasted social media trolls and defended his rider Charlotte Jones after she was banned for 12 days for riding a finish a circuit early, with an additional three days added for careless riding.

Jones, a 3lb conditional based with Moffatt, started to get serious with 16-1 shot Moonlight Spirit on the second circuit of the 3m1½f handicap hurdle, going three lengths clear around the top bend. 

She shot to her left, towards the finish, before cutting back to the right to rejoin the field when realising her mistake, almost clipping heels with The Bobby Dazzler as she manoeuvred back into the race.

Moonlight Spirit failed to complete the final circuit after being pulled up by Jones.

The BHA stewards' report said:  "An inquiry was held to consider interference passing the entrance to the home straight involving Moonlight Spirit, which was later pulled up, ridden by Charlotte Jones, and My Bobby Dazzler, placed third, ridden by Alex Edwards.

"Charlotte Jones had appeared to ride a finish a circuit too soon. After being interviewed and shown recordings of the incident, the rider was suspended for twelve days.

"Jones was suspended for three days for careless riding as she failed to take sufficient steps to avoid causing interference to My Bobby Dazzler, when giving the gelding a significant bump as she rejoined the field after appearing to ride a finish a circuit too soon."

In-running comment

 In touch with leaders on outer, headway and prominent after 3rd, disputed lead 6th, pushed along to lead 7th, jockey rode finish circuit too soon after 8th, soon lost ground quickly, pulled up before 3 out 

'It's about time the BHA starts backing the participants within this sport'

Moffatt, whose yard is local to Cartmel, was leading trainer at the track last season with 12 winners, 11 of which were ridden by Jones.

He said: "I don't have to tell her, we move on, it happens. She's gutted as she's riding out of her skin at the moment.

"People make mistakes, we are all human. We get so much abuse online and you just have to have thick skin. Nobody goes through life without making mistakes and it's about time the BHA starts backing the participants within this sport rather than worrying about what the betting industry wants or how it will affect them.

"This sport is about horses and people, she rides a winner and she gets applause and then she gets beaten on a favourite and it's abuse. It's a constant cycle, you try and close off to all the abuse on social media and she will no doubt get a load more after this.

"It's hugely regrettable but she's got my backing and she's got all the owners' backing. People make mistakes and we move on."

The Ben Haslam-trained Aramax won the contest under a patient ride from Richie McLernon, cruising into contention late on to deny 4-1 favourite Scrum Diddly.

Aramax: winner at CartmelCredit: GROSSICK RACING

Haslam said: "We are very pleased, some of his back form is well up to winning races of this grade. He's taken a while to find the key to him and we have finally just got to grips with his trip. I think he may have bumped into one at Ayr last time and we thought a quirky track like this would suit."

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