Spencer hit with three day ban for clash on rail

JAMIE SPENCER received a three-day ban yesterday and will miss captaining the British and Irish team at the Shergar Cup back at Ascot in a fortnight. Spencer’s winning mount Namhroodah was demoted to third in the Valian Stakes for hampering beaten favourite Irish Rookie, who was promoted to second. The race was awarded to 14-1 shot Red Box, who had been beaten a short head after finishing wide of the barging. Irish Rookie’s trainer Martyn Meade described Spencer’s actions as an ‘appalling manoeuvre’ while her jockey Ryan Moore gesticulated towards his rival. But, despite the head-on camera seeming to show Spencer deliberately move towards the rail and block Irish Rookie, stewards deemed the incident fell short of improper riding. Paul Barton, senior stipendary steward, said: ‘In our opinion, Irish Rookie would have beaten Namhroodah but for that interference. For it to be intentional or improper riding, it has to be obvious to the rider that interference would be the result. ‘The evidence has to support clear intent. If we are not satisfied, it is careless riding.’