Power Roche incurs 14-day suspension Tiernan Power Roche has incurred a 14-day suspension for his ride on Coolboy Christy in Ballinrobe’s opening maiden hurdle today, with the stewards punishing last season’s champion conditional jockey under Rule 212, which relates to non-triers. Held up in rear, the 40/1 chance made late headway to eventually finish a modest eighth-place, with the stewards later interviewing connections. The official IHRB report hasn’t at the time of writing been published, and while Coolboy Christy was himself also suspended from racing for 60 days, his trainer Philip Rothwell, who wasn't at the meeting, escaped punishment. After racing, the stewards' report reads: The Raceday Stewards enquired into the running and riding of Coolboy Christy, ridden by T. Power Roche, and trained by P.J. Rothwell. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned and Mr David Nolan the trainer's Authorised Representative. T. Power Roche, stated that he received his instructions via telephone prior to racing from P.J. Rothwell, these were to drop in last and to settle his mount who has previously ran keen. He further stated that his mount made a few jumping errors but that he was happy with the ride in that he had improved from his previous runs and ran to the best of his abilities today. Mr David Nolan confirmed the instructions given and stated that following the race P.J. Rothwell advised him via telephone that the rider could have been seen to make more of an effort in the closing stages. The Raceday Stewards also received a report from the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer who reported the animal to be clinically abnormal post-race. Samples were taken for further analysis. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards were satisfied that T. Power Roche was in breach of Rule 212A.(ii)(in that the rider was not seen to have attempted to obtain from his mount timely, real and substantial efforts to achieve the best possible place) and having considered his clean record in this regard they suspended him for 14 racedays and ordered that he forfeit his riding fee. Furthermore, the Raceday Stewards under the provisions of Rule 212A(d) suspended Coolboy Christy for 60 days. In arriving at their decision, the Raceday Stewards acknowledged the IHRB Veterinary report, however they were still satisfied that a breach of Rule 212A.(ii) had occurred.
