Racing: Frost Festival ban

JIMMY FROST lost a job more swiftly than anyone since Frank Spencer yesterday, when he picked up a ban for improper use of the whip at Ludlow which will keep him on the sidelines on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival.

Frost upset the stewards with a staccato finish on Rocktor, narrow winner of the Forbra Gold Cup Handicap Chase, shortly after being named as the stand-by rider for Granville Again in the Champion Hurdle should Peter Scudamore, Martin Pipe's stable jockey, opt to ride Valfinet. Other possible mounts which Frost must now forgo include Cabochon, in the Supreme Novice Hurdle, and Spinning, in the Imperial Cup at Sandown on 13 March, the first day of his suspension.

Rocktor looked sure to overtake Ronans Birthday with little fuss on the run-in, but was reluctant to go past and forced Frost to ride a strong finish. 'Rocktor wouldn't go through for me and I had to shock him,' the jockey said. 'The stewards thought I was too rapid with the whip over too short a period. I thought it was borderline.'

Richard Dunwoody also had some problems when Formal Invitation, 7-4 favourite for the novice hurdle, lost both front shoes when another horse jumped across him at the sixth flight. Despite losing several lengths, Dunwoody got Formal Invitation going again and took it up on the run-in to win by four lengths.

Dunwoody then drove to Warwick, where he completed an across-the-cards double on Case Harden in the closing race.

(Photograph omitted)