Jockey banned 21 days after becoming passenger on rival horse

Jockey Daire Davis was given a 21-day ban by the stewards at Ludlow on Thursday after causing a chaotic incident that briefly left him as a passenger on a rival horse.

Davis was found guilty of improper riding aboard the Fergal O’Brien-trained Faha Belle as the runners turned for home in the 2m 5f Vera Davies Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle.

The 22-year-old conditional moved his horse, a 14/1 chance who was moving strongly in the lead, right-handed onto the incorrect course, causing long-time leader Von Hallers to clip heels and unseat David Bass.

Having realised his error, Davis then manoeuvred his mount sharply left-handed, back onto the correct course and into a tightly grouped number of runners at the front of the field.

In the process, his own mount collided with the island railing differentiating the chase and hurdle courses.

Davis was ejected but didn’t immediately fall to the turf. Instead, he briefly found himself surfing aboard the strong-travelling Kit’s Coty, ridden by Tom Bellamy.

Davis eventually fell off and the luckless Bellamy, who himself must have been entertaining thoughts of victory, was also unseated.

Lesser interference was then caused to a number of runners in behind as a result of the incident. Baby Sage, the favourite, had unseated her rider at the first hurdle.

All horses and jockeys were unscathed. Davis was having his 61st ride, having had eight winners. It’s unlikely he will ever have a more eventful one.

The race was eventually won by 28/1 chance Victoria Milano, trained by Alastair Ralph and ridden by Jack Doyle.

Later in the afternoon, at Carlisle, a starter's assistant was knocked over by a horse at the start of the 5.05 race. Thankfully, he was reported to be none the worse.

The man jogged across in front of the tape, but was still in the process of leaving the track when the tapes went up and was immediately knocked over as the runners set off, sent tumbling across the ground as the field galloped on.

A report from the stewards read: “An inquiry was held to consider the circumstances as to why a member of the ground staff had crossed the track at the start as the race was started resulting in his being knocked over by Euchan Falls.

“The clerk of the course, the member of ground staff, the starters and Gavin Sheehan, the rider of Euchan Falls, unplaced, were interviewed.

“Having heard their evidence and having reviewed video recording of the incident, the matter was forwarded to the head office of the British Horseracing Authority for further consideration.”