Jockey Conor Stone-Walsh will serve a two-day suspension for careless riding at the Cheltenham Festival. The suspension stems from his ride on Iceberg Theory in Tuesday’s National Hunt Challenge Cup Novices’ Handicap Chase.
Careless Riding Causes Interference
Stone-Walsh’s riding caused Donagh Meyler on Backersackme to take a check. This also affected Sam Twiston-Davies on Guard the Moon.
The incident occurred after the first fence when entering the bend. Iceberg Theory finished fifth in the race, while both Backersackme and Guard the Moon were pulled up.
According to a statement, Stone-Walsh allowed his mount to drift left-handed towards the rail when insufficiently clear of Meyler. Meyler had to take a check, which resulted in Twiston-Davies also having to take a slight check against the rail.
Gilligan Also Suspended
Danny Gilligan also received a one-day suspension for misconduct at the start of the same race. The starter reported that Gilligan, riding Will Do, caused the second false start by not walking or jij-jogging to initiate the start.
Will Do finished 11th in the Novices’ Handicap Chase. Gilligan had ridden Dee Capo to 14th earlier in the Sun Racing Plate Handicap Chase and Koktail Brut to eighth in the Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.
Gilligan’s Rides on Wednesday
Despite the suspension, Gilligan has several booked rides. He is scheduled to ride Skylight Hustle in the Turners Novices Hurdle, Western Fold in the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase, and Conflated in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase. His fourth ride is in the Debenhams Jonny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase.
Gilligan also has one ride booked for Thursday aboard Place De La Nation in the Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle.
An enquiry ruled on the interference that happened after the first fence when entering the bend during Tuesday’s final race.