Whip ban only blot for Condon

The contentious issue of the whip reared its head again after a pulsating finish to The Ladbroke at Ascot.

Whip ban only blot for Condon

The contentious issue of the whip reared its head again after a pulsating finish to The Ladbroke at Ascot.

Winning rider Davy Condon on Bayan and runner-up Sam Twiston-Davies on Pine Creek were both hit with bans after they were found to have administered over the permitted strikes in the dash to the line.

After James Doyle in the Champion Stakes on Noble Mission and Leighton Aspell in the Hennessy on Many Clouds, Condon became the third jockey to win a feature race but be found in breach of the rules.

Condon was hit with a 15-day ban and a fine, while Twiston-Davies will miss four days.

For Condon and trainer Gordon Elliott, winning the race for the second time in three years after Cause Of Causes in 2012, they will take the punishment with a pinch of salt given what the jockey went through to even ride again after serious injury.

It was just his third mount back since returning.

“I’m a bit emotional at the moment, it’s great to be back – I didn’t think I’d make it back. It was my toughest injury so far and I was in a lot of pain,” said Condon.

“I was lucky I had a good group of people around me, Gordon Elliott has been so loyal to me leaving me on the horse. Even though I’m not 100 per cent fit I rushed to get back and I’m delighted he won.

“He was just idling in front and was there a bit soon, but he stays well and I knew I had to press on early because he has real stamina.

“He was tough and responded to every call.”

There was Grade One action earlier on the card were Reve De Sivola proved once more that three miles in soft ground at Ascot brings out the best in him as he registered his third win in the JLT Long Walk Hurdle.

The game looked up for Nick Williams’ nine-year-old as the hot favourite Zarkandar loomed large but he dug deep for Daryl Jacob, formerly the regular partner of Zarkandar in his role as Paul Nicholls’ stable jockey, a job he subsequently lost.

Jacob was standing in for Richard Johnson, currently on the sidelines after taking the wrong course.

“Zarkandar was running all over us approaching the last, but obviously I’ve ridden Zarkandar plenty of times and know him well. I know Reve De Sivola has a big heart and knew it was never over until he crossed the line,” said Jacob.

“He dug very deep when he needed to and that was his career-best today. He hasn’t won since he won 12 months ago and to bring him back in his best shape, I think that’s a great training performance. I’ve won a couple of Grade Ones on this horse now and he’s been a star to me.”

He added: “I had three fantastic years with Paul and Zarkandar has been a hell of a horse for me as well.”

Winning rider Davy Condon on Bayan and runner-up Sam Twiston-Davies on Pine Creek were both hit with bans after they were found to have administered over the permitted strikes in the dash to the line.

After James Doyle in the Champion Stakes on Noble Mission and Leighton Aspell in the Hennessy on Many Clouds, Condon became the third jockey to win a feature race but be found in breach of the rules.

Condon was hit with a 15-day ban and a fine, while Twiston-Davies will miss four days.

For Condon and trainer Gordon Elliott, winning the race for the second time in three years after Cause Of Causes in 2012, they will take the punishment with a pinch of salt given what the jockey went through to even ride again after serious injury.

It was just his third mount back since returning.

“I’m a bit emotional at the moment, it’s great to be back – I didn’t think I’d make it back. It was my toughest injury so far and I was in a lot of pain,” said Condon.

“I was lucky I had a good group of people around me, Gordon Elliott has been so loyal to me leaving me on the horse. Even though I’m not 100 per cent fit I rushed to get back and I’m delighted he won.

“He was just idling in front and was there a bit soon, but he stays well and I knew I had to press on early because he has real stamina.

“He was tough and responded to every call.”

There was Grade One action earlier on the card were Reve De Sivola proved once more that three miles in soft ground at Ascot brings out the best in him as he registered his third win in the JLT Long Walk Hurdle.

The game looked up for Nick Williams’ nine-year-old as the hot favourite Zarkandar loomed large but he dug deep for Daryl Jacob, formerly the regular partner of Zarkandar in his role as Paul Nicholls’ stable jockey, a job he subsequently lost.

Jacob was standing in for Richard Johnson, currently on the sidelines after taking the wrong course.

“Zarkandar was running all over us approaching the last, but obviously I’ve ridden Zarkandar plenty of times and know him well. I know Reve De Sivola has a big heart and knew it was never over until he crossed the line,” said Jacob.

“He dug very deep when he needed to and that was his career-best today. He hasn’t won since he won 12 months ago and to bring him back in his best shape, I think that’s a great training performance. I’ve won a couple of Grade Ones on this horse now and he’s been a star to me.”

He added: “I had three fantastic years with Paul and Zarkandar has been a hell of a horse for me as well.”

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