CASH BOOST FOR LEOPARDSTOWN CHASE The Clarkson Financial Planning handicap chase, won last year by Florida Pearl and to be run at Leopardstown next Sunday week (AIG Champion Hurdle day), has been boosted by an announcement made by the sponsors today.If the winner of this year's renewal goes on to win a handicap chase at the Cheltenham festival in March, the winning owners, will pick up a #20,000 bonus.The Appeals and Referrals Committee met at the Registry Office of the Turf Club today to consider appeals lodged by jockeys Conor O'Dwyer, Barry Geraghty, Neil Mulholland and David Casey regarding decisions made by the acting stewards at Thurles on January 4th.Following the running of the Heineken Phil Sweeney Memorial chase, Casey was suspended for two racedays for breach of Rule 215. The other riders were severely cautioned for failing to familiarise themselves with the course.After considering the evidence, the committee dismissed the appeals. Andrew Coonan of Cawey Solicitors, Naas represented the jockeys. The committee was represented by Brian Price, Wilkinson Price Solicitors, Naas.
