Hills fuming after Leicester ban
Richard Hills was left fuming after he was hit with a seven-day ban for dropping his hands and losing second place in the first division of the EBF Apollo Maiden Stakes at Leicester.
He was riding El Dececy for John Dunlop in the seven-furlong contest and brought the colt to challenge inside the final furlong.
But when he was held by the winner, Celtic Step, the jockey appeared to ease down only to be caught on the line and beaten a short head for the runner-up’s slot by Western Adventure.
He is suspended on September 16 to 22 inclusive, which rules him out of the Saturday of Newbury’s Dubai Duty Free meeting and the first afternoon of Ascot’s three-day fixture.
“I don’t even think I dropped my hands,” an incensed Hills said.
“I’d given him a pretty hard race for a two-year-old for us. He came and got me and I put my whip down.
“I believe I did nothing wrong and I’ll speak to John Blake (chief executive of the Jockeys’ Association of Great Britain) and have another look at the video before deciding on an appeal.”
Confirming the details of the ban, stewards’ secretary Louise Williams said: “He has been banned for seven days under Rule 158 in that the stewards felt he could have been placed second but for dropping his hands just short of the line.”
