Racing: Davy Condon cops ban after Ascot win

The contentious issue of the whip reared its head again after a pulsating finish to The Ladbroke at Ascot.
Davy Condon rode Bayan, left, to victory in The Ladbroke but was deemed to have used his whip too often. Picture: GettyDavy Condon rode Bayan, left, to victory in The Ladbroke but was deemed to have used his whip too often. Picture: Getty
Davy Condon rode Bayan, left, to victory in The Ladbroke but was deemed to have used his whip too often. Picture: Getty

Winning rider Davy Condon on Bayan and runner-up Sam Twiston-Davies on Pine Creek were both hit with bans after they were found to have administered over the permitted strikes in the dash to the line.

After James Doyle in the Champion Stakes on Noble Mission and Leighton Aspell in the Hennessy on Many Clouds, Condon became the third jockey to win a feature race but be found in breach of the rules.

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Condon was hit with a 15-day ban and a fine, while Twiston-Davies will miss four days.

For Condon and trainer Gordon Elliott, winning the race for the second time in three years after Cause Of Causes in 2012, they will take the punishment with a pinch of salt given what the jockey went through to even ride again after serious injury.

It was just his third mount back since returning. “I’m a bit emotional at the moment, it’s great to be back – I didn’t think I’d make it back. It was my toughest injury so far and I was in a lot of pain,” said Condon. “I was lucky I had a good group of people around me, Gordon Elliott has been so loyal to me leaving me on the horse. Even though I’m not 100 per cent fit I rushed to get back and I’m delighted he won.

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“He was just idling in front and was there a bit soon, but he stays well and I knew I had to press on early because he has real stamina. He was tough and responded to every call.”

There was Grade One action earlier on the card were Reve De Sivola proved once more that three miles in soft ground at Ascot brings out the best in him as he registered his third win in the JLT Long Walk Hurdle.

The game looked up for Nick Williams’ nine-year-old as the hot favourite Zarkandar loomed large but he dug deep for Daryl Jacob, formerly the regular partner of Zarkandar in his role as Paul Nicholls’ stable jockey, a job he subsequently lost.

Jacob was standing in for Richard Johnson, currently on the sidelines after taking the wrong course.

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“Zarkandar was running all over us approaching the last, but obviously I’ve ridden Zarkandar plenty of times and know him well,” said Jacob. “I know Reve De Sivola has a big heart and knew it was never over until he crossed the line.

“He dug very deep when he needed to and that was his career-best today. He hasn’t won since he won 12 months ago and to bring him back in his best shape, I think that’s a great training performance. I’ve won a couple of Grade Ones on this horse now and he’s been a star to me.”

He added: “I had three fantastic years with Paul and Zarkandar has been a hell of a horse for me as well.”

Neil Mulholland can dream about the Cheltenham Gold Cup a little after The Young Master (3-1 favourite) landed the Listed three-mile Mappin & Webb Silver Cup Handicap Chase in the hands of Barry Geraghty.

The Young Master was disqualified after winning the Badger Ales Chase at Wincanton last month when it emerged he had not met the qualifying criteria, and landing the £56,270 first prize was just compensation.

Mulholland said: “Obviously it is great for the owner and for the horse. The horse always knew he won at Wincanton but the owner felt the pinch more. But today will be a big help.”

Asked about the Gold Cup, he said: “He’s only a five-year-old. Maybe next year if he keeps improving, he could go for it. He won off a mark of 144 today, and Barry was very happy with him.”

Un De Sceaux made amends for falling on his chasing debut last month with a no-nonsense victory at Fairyhouse, on a day where Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh continued in irrepressible form.

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The Mullins-trained six-year-old blotted an otherwise impeccable copybook at Thurles after he crashed out three fences from home when seemingly in supreme control.

It was an entirely different story at Fairyhouse as Un De Sceaux stayed composed throughout to easily claim the two-mile Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase.

Mullins said of Un De Sceaux’s 12-length victory: “He had a scare at the first but he improved his jumping after and was a lot more sure at them. That probably frightened him and steadied him up. He took more notice of his fences after.

“I don’t know where he’ll go now – it’s a bit close to Christmas. I think there is a winners’ race at Naas on January 4 but that might be a bit soon, also.

“I might wait to the middle of January. He’s so hard on himself in races so I won’t rush him back to the track.”

Mullins had three other winners on the card, while Walsh had two more.

Broadway Buffalo benefited from a change of tactics to land the spoils in the Tommy Whittle Handicap Chase at Haydock.

The David Pipe-trained six-year-old had ruined his chance when running too free in the Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle and jockey Conor O’Farrell was instructed to ride a patient race.

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He executed the plan to perfection and brought Broadway Buffalo (5-1) to lead at the final fence and go on to win by four lengths from Toby Lerone, with Fill The Power another four lengths back in third.

“The idea was to get him settled and relaxed. It worked a treat,” said O’Farrell.

It was a fairly quiet afternoon yesterday, but make a note of Pylonthepressure, who looked a Cheltenham type in taking the bumper at Thurles for Mullins and his son, Patrick.

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