Racing: Hills banned for first two Classics

To be punished for losing a race for failing to ride out to the line, that most embarrassing of pilot errors, is bad enough. Failing to ride out but still winning the race, or at least dead-heating for first, and then being banned for a 21-day period that includes the first two Classics of the season is cruel. Richard Hills made the mistake on Buthaina in a median auction maiden race at Newcastle yesterday and will forfeit the rides on Khulood, winner of last week's Nell Gwyn Stakes and 10-1 for the 1,000 Guineas, and Muqbil, winner of the Greenham Stakes and 9-1 for the 2,000. The major meetings of Epsom Classic trials at Chester, York and Goodwood are also off his itinerary.

It is easy to see how Hills made the mistake. Riding the 11-8 favourite Buthaina for John Dunlop, the jockey seemed to concentrate on beating Jordans Elect, his sole rival on the far side of the track. Steering a solo course up the stands side, however, was Swift Alchemist and although Buthaina won her personal race, Swift Alchemist swooped to force a share of first place.

Punishments in these cases are used as an encouragement for jockeys not to be so stupid again and are meted out to protect punters. In this unusual case backers lost half their possible winnings and half their stake on the filly because she did not win the race outright.

Hills, unsurprisingly, was shaken by the decision. "I will have to speak to Michael Caulfield [chief executive of the Jockeys' Association] and consider appealing. I had rides with good chances in both the Classics and then there is Chester and York. It is just a bit of a shock at the moment.

"I didn't stop riding. I was getting up from the drive position. It had taken my horse two furlongs to get past Jordans Elect. I can't believe this is happening."

Audience was the best backed horse for the Classics yesterday after William Haggas's charge was confirmed as a runner by his owners, Highclere Thoroughbred Racing. He is now 33-1, from 50-1, with William Hill for the race on 3 May. The son of Zilzal won both his starts last season and the champion jockey, Kieren Fallon, may take the ride at Newmarket.

"William Haggas is extremely pleased with him," Tim Jones, spokesman for the owners, said. "Kieren rode him in a piece of work last week and is due to ride him again this week. We are delighted with him."

A decision will be made tomorrow about the Guineas participation of the Paul D'Arcy- trained Indian Haven. The Free Handicap winner has the Premio Parioli, the Italian Guineas, as a possible alternative.

Adamant Approach proved costly for odds-on backers at Fairyhouse yesterday when falling at the second last with the Powers Gold Cup at his mercy. The 30-100 chance, trained by Willie Mullins, also hampered his stablemate One Night Out, leaving the €55,000 (£34,000) prize to Thari, outsider of the field of three at 6-1.

2,000 GUINEAS (Newmarket, 3 May) William Hill: 2-1 Hold That Tiger, 5-1 Lateen Sails, 7-1 Refuse To Bend, 9-1 Muqbil, 10-1 Tout Seul, 16-1 Hurricane Alan, 33-1 Al Jadeed, Audience, Bourbonnais, Indian Haven, Maghanim, Saturn, Zafeen, 40-1 others.

Coral: 7-4 Hold That Tiger, 5-1 Lateen Sails, 6-1 Refuse to Bend, 8-1 Muqbil, 10-1 Tout Seul, 16-1 Hurricane Alan, Qais, 20-1 Statue Of Liberty, Zafeen, 25-1 others.