RUSSELL HANDED BAN
PAGES OF FANTASTIC START WITH HORSE RACING
THE Irish Turf Club finally came to its senses yesterday and handed Davy Russell a four-day ban for punching Kings Dolly in the neck at Tramore last month.
The punishment was decided at a disciplinary hearing at the Curragh.
“It is important not to understate the seriousness of this offence,” said Joseph Finnegan, chairman of the appeals body, .
“We feel that a five-day suspension is appropriate, but we are also aware of the strain and pressure that this has put on Davy and his family and the delay in finalising the matter, so therefore the suspension will be reduced to four days.
“There are two previous cases, in 2012 and 2014, which are somewhat similar in that they involved a blow to a horse and there was a five-day suspension given out in each case.
“We are satisfied that nothing of this nature will happen in future with regard to Davy.”
Russell, who will be free to ride at the Listowel Festival, which begins on Sunday, as his suspension starts on ® September 19, told the hearing: “There was no anger involved in this. There was no malice.
“I had no anger towards the filly. It was a matter of trying to get her back under control and trying to get her to pay attention.”
The hearing was the second time the Turf Club has called in Russell since the incident on August 18.
The first was two days later following public outcry that sparked the Turf Club into action.
The following Saturday Russell was given a caution by the referrals committee.
Both Russell’s behaviour and the way the affair was handled by the Turf Club, were criticised by the RSPCA and its Irish equivalent.
The ISPCA said it had been contacted by several people asking it to investigate Russell and potentially prosecute him on the basis of animal welfare, but the charity had no legal powers to do so.
Listowel could see the return to action of the 2015 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Coneygree.
He has been allotted top weight of 11st 10lb in the Guinness Kerry National on September 13 for which there are 41 entries at the latest confirmation stage.
The Willie Mullins-trained Shaneshill, runner-up in the Galway Plate, is set to carry 11st 4lb.
The recent rain that has softened the ground at Haydock does not concern Clive Cox ahead of Harry Angel’s bid for the 32Red Sprint Cup on Saturday.
“He showed the ability to break the track record in the Sandy Lane which is something we’re very proud of and has continued an upward curve since,” said the trainer.
“He’s got form on good to soft ground, winning the Middle Park, and I’m quite relaxed really, but would obviously prefer less rather than more rain.
“I think with any sprinter, with continued maturity, there’s the potential for more improvement and I’m pleased with him, he’s in good form.
“We’re very happy, we’ve had a healthy timescale since the July Cup and he’s trained very well. I wouldn’t swap him for anything.
“It is a Group One and there are a lot of horses who deserve a lot of consideration and respect.
“That is the same with any race. I was impressed with Brando in Deauville and his form is pretty good.”