Drama at Ascot this afternoon. Jamie Spencer's mount Namroodah was demoted from first place in the Listed race for causing interference to Irish Rookie, who finished third. Red Box, who finished second after escaping all the trouble, was awarded the race. Spencer got three days for careless riding. He was a very lucky boy, in my opinion. I thought it was dangerous and was expecting a ban well into double figures in terms of days. Anyone else see it?
Jamie Spencer
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The stewards report
The Stewards held an enquiry under Rule (B)11.6 into possible interference half a furlong out. Having heard their evidence and viewed recordings of the race they found that the winner, NAMHROODAH (IRE), ridden by Jamie Spencer, had interfered with IRISH ROOKIE (IRE), placed third, ridden by Ryan Moore, which was beaten a short head and a neck. They were satisfied that the interference had improved NAMHROODAH (IRE)’s placing in that IRISH ROOKIE (IRE) was finishing fast but was bumped against the rail, losing momentum and ground which she then had no time to make up due to the incident occurring so close to the line. They placed RED BOX, first, IRISH ROOKIE (IRE), second, and NAMHROODAH, third. The Stewards found Spencer in breach of Rule (B)54.1 and guilty of careless riding in that, having shifted away from the rail he allowed his mount to drift back towards it without appearing to be aware that IRISH ROOKIE (IRE) was on his inside. They suspended him for 3 days as follows: Friday 5, Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 August 2016.
The Stewards noted that, shortly after the start, interference took place between BLACK CHERRY, placed sixth, MUFFRI’HA (IRE), unplaced, and MIX AND MINGLE (IRE), placed fifth, but after viewing a recording of the race they were satisfied that it did not involve a riding offence.
The Stewards noted that NAMHROODAH (IRE), trained by James Tate, would wear a hood in the Parade Ring.
The Stewards gave permission for RED BOX, trained by Sir Mark Prescott, to be mounted in the chute.
The Stewards held an enquiry under Rule (B)11.6 into possible interference half a furlong out. Having heard their evidence and viewed recordings of the race they found that the winner, NAMHROODAH (IRE), ridden by Jamie Spencer, had interfered with IRISH ROOKIE (IRE), placed third, ridden by Ryan Moore, which was beaten a short head and a neck. They were satisfied that the interference had improved NAMHROODAH (IRE)’s placing in that IRISH ROOKIE (IRE) was finishing fast but was bumped against the rail, losing momentum and ground which she then had no time to make up due to the incident occurring so close to the line. They placed RED BOX, first, IRISH ROOKIE (IRE), second, and NAMHROODAH, third. The Stewards found Spencer in breach of Rule (B)54.1 and guilty of careless riding in that, having shifted away from the rail he allowed his mount to drift back towards it without appearing to be aware that IRISH ROOKIE (IRE) was on his inside. They suspended him for 3 days as follows: Friday 5, Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 August 2016.
The Stewards noted that, shortly after the start, interference took place between BLACK CHERRY, placed sixth, MUFFRI’HA (IRE), unplaced, and MIX AND MINGLE (IRE), placed fifth, but after viewing a recording of the race they were satisfied that it did not involve a riding offence.
The Stewards noted that NAMHROODAH (IRE), trained by James Tate, would wear a hood in the Parade Ring.
The Stewards gave permission for RED BOX, trained by Sir Mark Prescott, to be mounted in the chute.
I totally disagree with them.
Spencer was well aware that Moore, on Irish Rookie, was coming up fast on his inside - he looked a number of times to his right and up at the big screen - and Namroodah was deliberately manoeuvred over to the rail, not "allowed to drift back towards it."
There's a big difference between refusing to allow a horse up your inside and deliberately closing a gap that a horse is already in the process of legitimately going through.
The experts on C4 already quick to point out the similarities between yesterday and Pat Smullen's ride at Royal Ascot.
At first glance, under the scrutiny of an action replay in the final 50 yards, they look similar, but the details of both situations are massively different. That's important if you're making comparisons - the detail.
Pat Smullen on Ralph Beckett's horse, (whose name escapes me), was literally coming from last to first in a 20+ runner handicap.
Beyond reasonable doubt on that occasion he was focusing in the final 50 yards on challenging the only foreseeable challenger, (the Godolphin horse in front of him, ridden by James Doyle).
Yesterday was different as Spencer was in front, probably saw he had nothing coming to the left of him, so crossed over to the rail in a reckless manner to cause as much obstruction to any challenger near the rail as possible.
They are entirely different incidents that should not be used for generic analysis. The stewards got it right both times, imho.
At first glance, under the scrutiny of an action replay in the final 50 yards, they look similar, but the details of both situations are massively different. That's important if you're making comparisons - the detail.
Pat Smullen on Ralph Beckett's horse, (whose name escapes me), was literally coming from last to first in a 20+ runner handicap.
Beyond reasonable doubt on that occasion he was focusing in the final 50 yards on challenging the only foreseeable challenger, (the Godolphin horse in front of him, ridden by James Doyle).
Yesterday was different as Spencer was in front, probably saw he had nothing coming to the left of him, so crossed over to the rail in a reckless manner to cause as much obstruction to any challenger near the rail as possible.
They are entirely different incidents that should not be used for generic analysis. The stewards got it right both times, imho.
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Euronymous
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James Tate is to appeal against Namhroodah's demotion at Ascot on Friday.