Marquand relief over ban
TOM Marquand has spoken of his relief at overturning a nine-day ban.
The former champion apprentice was handed the punishment for careless riding at Bath on May 15, following an incident in which Liam Jones fell from his mount.
Sprinter Mooroverthebridge clipped heels in The “Around the Paddock” At valuerater.co.uk Fillies’ Handicap Stakes, which was attributed to a misjudgement on Marquand’s part according to the raceday stewards.
But after the five-and-a-half furlong sprint was viewed again from different angles by a panel at BHA HQ in London, the Gloucestershire-born jockey was cleared of blame on Ghepardo.
“The impact of the ban would have been massive,” he said.
“Nine days in the middle of the summer would have seen me miss opportunities and lose a lot of earnings.
“Then there’s the risk of someone winning on a horse you should have been on and keeping the ride.
“We are one of the only sports in which professionals are penalised in this way.”
Marquand, who rode Anna Nerium to victory to give trainer Richard Hannon his 1,000th winner at last weekend’s Epsom Derby meeting, told the disciplinary hearing on May 23 he sent his filly for a gap around two furlongs out, which did not cause interference.
Marquand said: “It’s like getting a front right puncture in your tyre and trying to turn left.
“It unbalances them. She leaned on top of Liam’s horse and the BHA have realised I took every reasonable measure afterwards.
“Straight away when something like this happens you hope your colleague is alright and Liam walked back in.
“We are all mates at the end of the day.”