Probert gets 28 day ban at Lingfield David Probert felt the force of the racecourse stewards when handed a 28-day-ban for dropping his hands and forfeiting a certain victory in the opening contest. His mount, Paphos, the strongly-supported even-money favourite, had been in front from the start in the Mr Lover Loveridge Farewell Selling Stakes and looked booked for victory when Probert started to ease down. It might only have been for a couple of strides, but it was enough to allow the rallying Saharia to get back on terms and snatch victory on the line by a nose. The stewards launched an immediate inquiry and it didn't take long for them to conclude that Probert was guilty of a breach of Rule (B)59.3.2.1 - 'failing to ride out on a horse that would have finished first'. He was banned from March 15 to April 13 and will miss the opening weeks of the Flat turf season.
