Racing: Interference costs Moffatt 10-day ban

JIMMY MOFFATT, the claiming jockey, yesterday received a 10-day suspension for causing intentional interference to Richard Dunwoody's mount, Sweet Glow, in the Long Distance Hurdle at Haydock.

Riding for his father, Dudley, Moffatt allowed Deb's Ball to lean on her rival going to the second last hurdle. Despite finishing last of the four runners, the mare was still disqualified by the stewards, thus forfeiting over pounds 700 in prize-money. Moffatt was banned from 11 to 20 May inclusive.

The race went to Avro Anson, another to experience disqualification this season, in the Stayers' Hurdle at Cheltenham. The gelding had been placed on all five of his previous outings this season.

The Moffatts had some cause for cheer when their Loch Scavaig outpointed the Dunwoody-ridden Lemon's Mill in the mares' handicap hurdle. The champion jockey, winnerless at Haydock, then flew to Southwell where his three rides yielded a Martin Pipe-trained double on Merlins Wish and Pridwell. That took his seasonal tally to 167 and narrowed Adrian Maguire's lead in this year's championship race to seven.