Racing: Cumani's Champion appeal fails

Luca Cumani has failed in his attempt to have the result of last month's Champion Stakes at Leopardstown changed in favour of Falbrav.

The trainer and the horse's owners, Luciano Salice and Teruya Yoshida, had appealed against the decision of the stewards at Leopardstown not to reverse the placings of High Chaparral and Falbrav in the race after the winner had appeared to move in on their charge during the final furlong, blocking his run.

But at yesterday's hearing at the Curragh racecourse, attended by Cumani, the three-man appeals and referrals committee of the Irish Turf Club found that, while there was interference, it was not sufficient to alter the result of the race.