Daly's five-day ban fuels riding row

Racing

Alan Daly was suspended for five days by the stewards at Salisbury yesterday for irresponsible riding on Daily Risk, who was disqualified from first place. The stewards found that Daly's mount had interfered with the unplaced Petite Annie, Lincoln Twenty One and Ciserano shortly after the start. Daily Risk, the clear-cut winner, was demoted to last place and the race awarded to Flying Pennant.

Daly's ban sparked sharp words between racing professionals and local stewards. One of the trainers whose horse was involved in the incident, Mick Channon, said: "What's happening to racing? We'll have no jockeys left shortly. It seems to be the stewards that are bringing the game into disrepute."

The trainer of Daily Risk, Simon Dow, said: "It seems a harsh decision as the boy was on a horse who hangs to his right in any case and would prefer softer ground."

But the stewards' secretary, Jeremy Ker, said: "One doesn't flip a coin as to what the category of interference is. It's on a sliding scale from reckless, intentional, irresponsible and careless to accidental and the Jockey Club take the first three very seriously."