David Casey has been told he will not lose the ride on Hulysse Royal, the horse whose controversial defeat at Kempton last month saw the jockey hit with a 14-day suspension.

Oliver Sherwood has given Casey, his stable jockey since the start of the season, a vote of confidence in the aftermath of the incident that saw Hulysse Royal pipped at the post by Audacter after being eased down.

Sherwood said yesterday: "As far as I am concerned he will ride the horse the next time he is able to ride." Casey's ban runs to February 15th.

However the gelding would run only if the trainer is satisfied he has fully recovered from the race at Kempton, after which the five-year-old was reported to have tied up with stomach cramp.

Brendan Powell will not be able to return to the saddle today and has yet to decide whether he will be able to ride Young Kenny at Uttoxeter on Saturday.

The jockey has been absent since injuring his ribs in a fall at Doncaster on Friday, having only recently returned from a two-month lay-off.

Powell had hoped to return at Towcester today but a problem emerged when he was riding out yesterday.