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Paul Townend and Harry Cobden among 17 jockeys banned on dramatic Friday night at Galway Races

15 riders picked up suspensions following to an incident at the start of the 2m6f Guinness Galway Blazers Handicap Chase

[JJ Slevin on Kings Hill wins The Guinness Galway Blazers Handicap Chase on Friday night at Galway]

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JJ Slevin on Kings Hill wins The Guinness Galway Blazers Handicap Chase on Friday night (Image: INPHO/Morgan Treacy)

A dramatic Friday night at the Galway Races saw seventeen jockeys pick up suspensions as the stewards enquired into a number of incidents.

The most controversial episode happened at the start of the 2m6f Guinness Galway Blazers Handicap Chase when a full field of 20 runners started in front of the packed stands.

With riders anxious to get a good position in one of the weeks most valuable contests, it took three attempts and a number of minutes before the race finally began.

The 80,000 contest was won by the heavily backed Kings Hill, trained locally by Paul Gilligan and ridden by JJ Slevin. The seven-year-old was supported into 5-1 favourite and skipped clear up the hill to defeat Penny A Hundred and Brian Hayes by three and three quarter lengths.

15 of the 20 riders in the race went to the stewards room in the aftermath where officials found all in breach Rule 208, in that they had not obeyed the starters instructions.

Paul Townend, Harry Cobden, Jack Kennedy and Danny Mullins were among a group that were handed down one-day suspensions while Kevin Healy and Josh Williamson were given two-days bans for their part in the incident.

One rider, Patrick OBrien, didnt attend the enquiry, with raceday stewards referring his absence on to a senior racing official for further investigation.

The others to receive a single day suspension were Simon Torrens, Conor Stone-Walsh, Alex Harvey, JJ Slevin, Michael Kenneally, Brian Hayes, Donagh Meyler, Darragh OKeeffe and Tom Kelly.

Later in the evening flat jockeys Joey Sheridan and Rob Whearty picked four-day and two-day suspensions, respectively, for careless riding.

Sheridan was banned for four-days following the feature Guinness Handicap after the stewards deemed him to have ridden carelessly on Kingstonian, in a race won by the Willie Mullins trained Touch The Moon.

Wheartys ban came after he was unseated following a clipping of heels on Coulstys Way in the Hop House 13 Handicap, two furlongs from the finish.

The stewards' raceday reports on all three races can be read below.

6.00 Guinness Galway Blazers Handicap

The IHRB stewards report said: The Raceday Stewards enquired into the riders' first approach to the starter involving Jalila Moriviere (FR), ridden by S.D. Torrens, Ballybawn Belter, ridden by H. Cobden, Intense Approach (GB), ridden by A. Harvey, Kings Hill, ridden by J.J. Slevin, Yoradreamer (GB), ridden by D.E. Mullins, Moonovercloon, ridden by Michael Kenneally, A Penny A Hundred (FR), ridden by B. Hayes, Shanbally Kid, ridden by J.W. Kennedy, Rising Dust, ridden by D. Meyler, Where's My Jet, ridden by P. Townend, Hermino Aa (FR), ridden by T. Joseph Kelly, Warriors Wood (GB), ridden by Kevin Healy, Antrim Coast, ridden by D.J. O'Keeffe, Rexem, ridden by Josh Williamson, and Charlie Luciano, ridden by C. Stone-Walsh where it appeared all riders were cantering before the starter had raised his flag.

Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards found all riders were in breach of Rule 208, in that they had not obeyed the starters instructions, and having considered the records of all riders in this regard the Raceday Stewards suspended S. D. Torrens, H. Cobden, A. Harvey, J. J. Slevin, D. E. Mullins, M. J. Kenneally, B. Hayes, J W. Kennedy, D. Meyler, P. Townend, T. Joseph Kelly, D. J. O'Keeffe and C. Stone Walsh for one race day and Kevin Healy and Josh Williamson for two racedays each.

Furthermore, the Raceday Stewards also wished to interview P. M. O'Brien regarding the matter but in light of his absence the Raceday Stewards referred the matter on to a senior racing official for further investigation.

6.35 Guinness Handicap

The Raceday Stewards enquired into an incident in the closing stages of this race involving Touch The Moon, ridden by C.D. Hayes, and Kingstonian (GB), ridden by J.M. Sheridan where it appeared Touch The Moon ran short of room.

Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. C. D. Hayes stated that it got tight and he had to check. J. M. Sheridan stated that his mount dived right and he corrected but it went again when he thought he was clear of the horse on the rail.

Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards found J. M. Sheridan was in breach of Rule 214, in that he had ridden carelessly, and having considered his record in this regard (second offence) the Raceday Stewards suspended J. M. Sheridan for four race days.

8.10 Hop House 13 Handicap

The Raceday Stewards enquired into an incident in the closing stages of this race involving Baila Conmigo, ridden by S. Coen, Coulstys Way, ridden by R. Whearty, and Nancee Spain, ridden by S.T. McCullagh where it appeared Coulstys Way clipped a heel and unseated. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. S. Coen stated that his race was run when he moved in slightly and received pressure from his inside. R. Whearty stated that the horse in front was moving in and out and he clipped a heel. S. T. McCullagh stated that he maintained his line but got a little unbalanced when he received pressure from his outside. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards found R. Whearty was in breach of Rule 214, in that he had ridden carelessly, and having considered his record in this regard (first offence) the Raceday Stewards suspended R Whearty for two race days

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