Tony McCoy was an angry man at Leicester today after being hit with a two-day ban that will force him on the sidelines for an important weekend.
The champion will be sitting out the action on Friday and Saturday of next week for using his whip with excessive force on first-race winner Ciara's Prince.
McCoy would probably have been teaming up with Martin Pipe's Gloria Victis in the Racing Post Chase at Kempton on Saturday week.
He would also have had the option of travelling to Haydock where the feature race is the valuable De Vere Gold Cup.
McCoy, fast-approaching his 200th winner of the season, was clearly upset by the stewards' action.
"I don't want to make it any comment about it - it just would not be a good idea," he said.
McCoy found himself in trouble despite giving the awkward customer Ciara's Prince a vintage ride.
Jonjo O'Neill's charge was in front from the third fence in the Wren Handicap Chase but needed plenty of driving a long way from home.
It was only because of McCoy's strength and determination that the 6-1 chance was able to shake off the attentions of Cool Gunner and go on to record an 11-length victory.
McCoy had several run-ins with the stewards last season but this is the first time he has fallen foul of officialdom in the current campaign.
Stewards' secretary Geoff Forster said: "The question the stewards had to ask themselves was the whip use reasonable and necessary over the distance of ground involved.
"He started on the stable bend and he made contact at least 20 times.
"The stewards realised that it was a difficult animal but it was just beyond the level of acceptability. For that reason he was given the minimum ban."
There was at least a happy ending for McCoy as he went onto complete a 20-1 double - taking his tally for the season to 197 - when Pipe's Fayez captured the Oadby Handicap Hurdle.
Kim Bailey's revival continued as he secured a 28¼-1 double with Crookedstone and Supreme Charm.
Supreme Charm, ridden by Norman Williamson, had to work hard before finally getting the better of Act In Time in the Trial Handicap Chase.
"He's a similar type to Clinton who runs at Sandown tomorrow but I thought the ground would be better for him here," said Bailey.
Supreme Charm is likely to be in action at the Cheltenham Festival with the choice lying between the Kim Muir Chase and the William Hill Handicap Chase.
Crookedstone stayed on well in the hands of Timmy Murphy to defeat Knightsbridge Star in the Thurnby Maiden Chase.
"He had one crack over fences last season but then we decided to keep him over hurdles so that he would remain a novice this season," said Bailey.
"He's taken time to come himself and will do better over further."
Trainer Jim Old predicted a bright future for Wain Mountain after he made a winning jumping debut.
The former Sir Mark Prescott inmate forged clear in the closing stages of the Somerby Juvenile Novices' Hurdle to beat Oro Street by 18 lengths.
"We've given this horse plenty of time and he won't come to himself for another two years at least," said Old.
"But he jumps for fun and he's one to look forward to especially over longer distances."
