Walsh challenges Cheltenham ban after Pearl Swan mishap

Ruby Walsh has appealed against the three-day ban he incurred at Cheltenham on Saturday.

Walsh was found guilty of causing interference when partnering Pearl Swan to be first past the post in the JCB Triumph Hurdle Trial.

While he beat Grumeti a short head, the two horses got very close in the finish and the stewards opted to reverse the places and banned Walsh for his efforts in the saddle.

The suspension means Walsh would miss the ride aboard Zarkandar in the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury on 11 February, but the British Horseracing Authority confirmed that the jockey contested the decision and will hear an appeal on Thursday.

“You’d never be optimistic (of getting it overturned), but I didn’t think it warranted a three-day ban,” Walsh told At The Races. “It was very minimal interference and a very minimal offence, if I’m guilty of an offence.”

At Plumpton yesterday, Alan King’s Montbazon showed exactly why he was sent off at the prohibitive odds of 1-10 in the attheraces.com Track Your Favourite Horse Maiden Hurdle at Plumpton yesterday.

Considered a live contender for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham, Montbazon had finished just a length behind the smart Colour Squadron on his first start out of bumpers at Newbury. The only brief moment of concern for Wayne Hutchinson was when Montbazon jumped to the right at the third-last and cannoned into Victor Leudorum. But he quickly recovered to finish 15 lengths in front of that rival. “We won’t have learned a lot from that but he’s a smashing horse,” said King. “I’d like to give him a bit more practice and we might look at the Listed hurdle at Exeter in a couple of weeks.”

At Ayr, course favourites Sammy Spiderman and Something Silver fought out a thrilling finish to the Play Casino At BetVictor.com Handicap Chase. Both horses returned to Scotland with four victories apiece and it was Sammy Spiderman who added to his tally for Alistair and Ewan Whillans. For a long way Something Silver looked likely to collect, with the grey getting the rest of the field at work with some sublime leaps at the head of affairs.

But Sammy Spiderman stuck to his task tenaciously and pickedhis rival up before pulling two and a half lengths clear.

Alistair Whillans said: “I’m delighted to see him win again and he obviously loves the place. The horse in front travelled better but our lad just stays at it and it’s great to see him get his head in front again.”

The father and son combination were all set to complete a double in the BetVictor.com Handicap Hurdle, but Lady Bluesky made a serious error at the final obstacle and got rid of Ewan Whillans when well clear. While the rider punched the turf in frustration, his cousin, Callum Whillans, made the most of the opportunity by pushing 9-2 shot Nelson Du Ronceray out to the line and collect the prize.