Leger appeal now next Wednesday The British Horseracing Authority has set a date for Wednesday next week to hear the appeal by connections of Simple Verse against the decision to demote the filly from first place in the Ladbrokes St Leger at Doncaster. Trained by Ralph Beckett for Qatar Racing, the Andrea Atzeni-ridden three-year-old passed the post a head in front of the Aidan O'Brien-trained Bondi Beach, but a stewards' inquiry was immediately called into interference as the pair appeared to bump twice in the closing stages. Following a tense wait, during which Atzeni and Bondi Beach's rider Colm O'Donoghue argued their respective cases in front of the stewards live on Channel 4, the announcement was made that Simple Verse had been placed second. The BHA tweeted: "Appeal against decision of Doncaster stewards to reverse placings following interference in St Leger will be on Wed 23 Sept at 10am." The appeal was originally set for this week, but was delayed due to the availability of counsel.
