NAAS STEWARDS BAN KEVIN HEALY AND FINE SIMON CAVANAGH OVER FORTUNATE MISS

Jockey Kevin Healy has been suspended for 14 race days and trainer Simon Cavanagh fined €3,000 after Naas stewards found both in breach of the non-trier rule over the running of Fortunate Miss on Sunday.

The four-year-old filly, having her first run over hurdles, was sent off at 80-1 and finished 11th, beaten 44 lengths, in the Cavan Developments Maiden Hurdle won by Cheltenham Champion Bumper hero The Mourne Rambler. As well as serving the ban, Healy must forfeit his riding fee, while Fortunate Miss cannot run for 60 days under Rule 212C(d).

What the stewards heard

After viewing a recording of the race, the stewards took evidence from both men. Healy said his orders were to drop the filly in and get her settled, but that a poor leap at the first flight had knocked her confidence. She never travelled with any fluency, he explained, and had nothing left after the last.

Cavanagh confirmed those instructions, told the inquiry he was happy with the ride and added that his string had not been in form.

The stewards ruled that both had breached Rule 212A(ii), which deals with horses judged not to have been given a genuine and timely chance to do their best. The clean records of jockey and trainer under the rule were taken into account. The veterinary officer found Fortunate Miss normal after the race, and samples were taken for further analysis. No results have been made public.

A familiar tariff

The penalties are in line with other recent Irish cases. Conditional rider Dylan O'Connor received 14 race days at Fairyhouse last week over his ride on Sam's Favourite, who was also banned for 60 days, while in June Limerick stewards fined Tony Martin €3,000, suspended Seamie Heffernan for 14 days and stopped Eben Zaabeel from running for 60 days.

Such findings do not always stand in full. Ted Walsh and Charles O'Brien both had €3,000 fines overturned by the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board's appeals panel last year, although the suspensions on their horses remained in place.

Still to be confirmed

The IHRB's report of the inquiry is marked as provisional until it appears in the Irish Racing Calendar. It is not yet known whether Healy or Cavanagh intends to appeal.