Racing: Shane Kelly faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines after appearing before the Disciplinary Panel of the Jockey Club yesterday. The rider was referred to Portman Square by the Lingfield stewards after they found him to be in breach of Rule 153 following his ride on Prince Of Blues in the betdirect.co.uk Handicap Stakes on January 21st.

Kelly had already been suspended from riding for 20 days for interference within the previous 12 months, triggering the referral. The panel considered evidence from Kelly and also viewed video recordings of the race.

The panel accepted an admission from the jockey that his mount had interfered with the Fran Ferris-ridden Lady Pekan through careless riding on his part, in that as he came off the final bend he angled towards the centre of the course causing Ferris to take back.

Taking into account that Kelly had been suspended for 20 days for interference since April 26th, 2003, it suspended him from riding for 16 days, of which four will be deferred until July 12th.

The suspension will run from February 13th to February 25th on days on which Flat racing is scheduled to take place.

Kelly's bad luck continued at Southwell later in the day as he was found guilty of improper riding aboard Feast Of Romance in the Littlewoods Bet Direct Selling Stakes. He received a one-day ban for using his whip above shoulder height.