Horse Racing: Dunlop and Tebbutt win appeal over Answered Promise run
Trainer Ed Dunlop and jockey Michael Tebbutt have been successful in their appeal against a fine and suspension imposed on them by the stewards at Nottingham.
It followed an incident in which they fell foul of the local officials following the running and riding of Answered Promise in division one of the Annual Members Maiden Stakes on November 5.
They were unhappy about the decision of the stewards to find Tebbutt in breach of Rule 158 and suspend him from riding for 10 days and to find Dunlop in breach of Rule 155(ii) and impose a fine of £2,000.
Answered Promise was suspended from running for 40 days.
Rule 158 covers the failure of a rider to ensure that his horse is given a full opportunity to win or obtain the best possible placing.
Rule 155(ii) requires a trainer to ensure that adequate instructions are given to a rider to ensure that every horse in a race runs on its merits.
The disciplinary committee of the British Jockey Club heard evidence from Tebbutt, who was legally represented, and Dunlop.
It also considered four veterinary reports on Answered Promise and related photographs concerning the gelding's conformation and associated problems whilst in training. It also viewed video recordings of the race.
Having considered the evidence, the committee found the jockey not to be in breach of Rule 158 in that it accepted his explanation that the gelding was unbalanced throughout the last four furlongs, the saddle had slipped forward at the start and therefore he nursed the gelding home.
It also found Dunlop not to be in breach of Rule 155.
It upheld the appeal, quashed the suspension imposed on Tebbutt, the fine imposed on Dunlop and the suspension on Answered Promise.
