Cleary to appeal Navan suspension Rory Cleary has decided to appeal the one day suspension imposed by the stewards at Navan last Saturday for a breach of Rule 213(ii) when partnering Ringside Humour to finish fourth in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF (Fillies) Handicap. The rule relates to reporting anything which may affect the performance of a horse in a race. The Turf Club report on the day read as follows: The stewards interviewed R.P. Cleary, rider of Ringside Humour, trained by J. S. Bolger, concerning his riding in the latter stages of this race, where it appeared he stopped riding close to the line possibly causing him to loose out on third place. Evidence was heard from the rider who stated that he stopped riding when in third place for fear of clipping the heels of the horse in front of him and possibly causing interference to the horse on his inside. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards accepted the explanation into his riding. As a result of the evidence offered by R. P. Cleary the Stewards were satisfied that the rider was in breach of Rule 213(ii), in that he had failed to report at the scales or to a Stewards Secretary at the earliest opportunity, anything which may have affected the performance of his horse in a race and having considered his record, suspended him for one race day. The appeal will take place at the Curragh tomorrow.
