RACING: Davids Lad is set to miss the Aintree Grand National after being banned from racing for six weeks by the Naas stewards yesterday. Trainer Tony Martin was fined €1,000 and jockey Timmy Murphy banned for seven days after the stewards felt that they had used the racecourse as a training ground.
Davids Lad, second favourite for the Aintree showpiece at 14 to 1, was last of the seven finishers behind Arctic Copper in the Paddy and Helen Cox Memorial Newlands Chase over two miles when a 14 to 1 chance.
Davids Lad's ban starts today while Murphy's ban is on days when there is racing in Ireland (March 5th, 6th, 8th, 9th, 15th, 16th and 17th). Murphy, however, will be free to ride at the Cheltenham Festival.
The stewards were of the opinion that the racecourse had been used as a training ground and that the rider had made insufficient effort. Martin, who is considering an appeal, said: "I'll be consulting the owners and we are considering an appeal.
"Timmy should have been more forceful but I left it up to him as he knows the horse best. He has never hit him and has won a couple of big races riding him that way but Timmy felt the horse couldn't cope with the bad ground from six out to three out, though he did begin to run on on the nicer ground in the straight."
Davids Lad fell at the fourth last fence in the National last year when holding every chance and has been campaigned with the race as the main target. Should he be banned from Aintree then all bets placed on the horse would be lost, according to William Hill spokesman David Hood.
Victory in the two-mile race went to the Grand Alliance Racing Club-owned Arctic Copper after he prevailed by half a length from Fadoudal Du Cochet.
"He'll go to Cheltenham for the Mildmay Of Flete next," said Noel Meade of the nine-year-old, who was led in by former Senator Liam Cosgrave, one of 17 members in the syndicate, which also includes several prominent Government figures.
Golden Cross is sharing favouritism for the JCB Triumph Hurdle after giving plenty of weight to most of his rivals when landing the Winning Fair Juvenile Hurdle at Fairyhouse on Saturday.
The Michael Halford-trained gelding was driven to the front between the final two flights by Charlie Swan and drew clear in impressive fashion to beat Statim by four lengths. "I think he may have just needed the run at Leopardstown last time, and that should leave him right now for the Triumph," said Halford.
