Sam Waley-Cohen© Photo Healy Racing
Sam Waley-Cohen has lodged an appeal against the seven-day ban imposed by the Carlisle stewards for his ride on Long Run on Sunday.
Waley-Cohen sent his mount straight into the lead on what was his first start for 672 days and while he jumped well for much of the three-mile journey, a couple of significant errors led to him coming under pressure.
Long Run looked sure to finish third after jumping the final fence, but was eased and stopped to a walk on the run-in, being passed by both Barachois Silver and Durban Gold, meaning he beat just one rival home.
Waley-Cohen was found guilty of failing to take all reasonable and permissible measures to obtain the best possible placing in that he failed to ride out on a horse that could have finished third.
He told At The Races: "The main thing is that he has retired happy and healthy, he's been a great servant. You have to act in the best interests of the horse, it's disappointing to pick up a ban and I am going to be appealing as it didn't feel it reflected the situation fully.
"I think the main thing is to praise the horse, who has been great for racing for a number of years."
Waley-Cohen's ban would rule him out of next month's Fox Hunters' Chase at Aintree, a race he has won three times before.
The British Horseracing Authority tweeted: "An appeal has been lodged by Sam Waley-Cohen regarding the 7-day suspension incurred at Carlisle racecourse yesterday. Time and date TBC."
