Lynch mulling Fairyhouse task for Zabana Zabana, whose jockey Davy Russell was unshipped from the gelding at the start of Thursday's JLT Novices' Chase at Cheltenham, could seek compensation at Fairyhouse on Easter Sunday. Russell and veteran trainer Andrew Lynch were left "deeply frustrated" by the incident, which came after an initial false start when starter Robbie Supple deemed the horses were coming in too quickly. With the field reduced to a standing start, Zabana and his rider parted company when still appearing to be sideways on to the rest of the field and colliding with Outlander. An inquiry into the incident concluded no rider had breached the rules and officials were satisfied that starting procedures had been followed correctly. But Lynch said: "Davy said the lad cracked the whip and my horse spooked, although it's my view that Ruby Walsh (on eventual winner Black Hercules) created the initial false start by coming in ahead of the others. On the second start, my horse was racing the other way, but he let them go. "The rule saying they should jump from a standing start is ridiculous. Horses are not used to it. They need to be walked in from a 10 or 15-yard line and then break into the canter." Equally annoying for Lynch was that Zabana was his only runner at the meeting and had been specifically trained for the race. He added: "The horse is fine and might now go for the Ryanair Gold Cup at Fairyhouse, a valuable race for novices."
