BHA to grill O'Brien on Juddmonte

Published on Tuesday 2 September 2008 23:43

THE British Horseracing Authority is to hold an enquiry into whether or not Aidan O'Brien and jockey Colm O'Donoghue broke 'team tactics' rules in the Juddmonte International Stakes at Newmarket last month.

Duke of Marmalade's victory in the Group 1 contest was shrouded in controversy when O'Donoghue, riding the winner's stablemate Red Rock Canyon, looked over his shoulder and appeared to pull his mount off the rail, thus allowing the Johnny Murtagh-ridden favourite a clear passage to the line.

In the light of that manoeuvre, O'Brien and O'Donoghue will now appear before the BHA's disciplinary panel at an enquiry later this month, although there is no possibility of the result being altered.

As for today, Paul Cole knows all about the quality of Scottish jockeys having enjoyed a long and successful association with Richard Quinn, and Greg Fairley's talents have clearly not gone un-noticed by the Wantage handler. The young Borderer has only had half-a-dozen rides for Cole but, significantly, the majority of those have come in the past few weeks and whilst their partnership has still to bear fruit in the shape of a winner, this evening's Kempton card could see them break their duck.

Title Role boasts just one win in 11 starts although the fact that came over this evening's course and distance will hopefully prove to be a good omen for the nap.