Jockey David Moran is scheduled for five rides at the Curragh tomorrow after having had his controversial 21-day ban reduced to just six days at a Turf Club appeal hearing yesterday.
Moran was originally handed the ban at the Curragh 13 days ago when the acting stewards gave him 21 days for allegedly attempting to strike his fellow apprentice Christopher Timmons during a race.
That punishment was subsequently described as "a disgrace and an abuse of power" by trainer Jim Bolger who employs Moran as his second jockey.
Yesterday, at a hearing led by the independent chairman, Justice Mr Ronan Keane, the suspension was reduced to six days, the number of flat racing dates remaining in Ireland this season after tomorrow.
Moran was allowed ride at the Curragh this weekend as he had been already booked for rides. He also kept his €380 deposit.
"The appeals board upheld the decision of the stewards on the day in that he was deemed guilty of improper riding,"a Turf Club spokesman said afterwards. "However, they also felt that 21 days probably didn't fit the crime."
The Curragh feature tomorrow is the Listed Lanwades & Staffordstown Studs Silken Glider Stakes for juvenile fillies where the Bolger team will be represented by the narrow Gowran winner La Conquistadora.
The form of her victory was boosted earlier in the week by Soldier Of Fortune's Navan success but La Conquisadora could be fully tested this time by the Cork winner Boca Dancer.
Kevin Prendergast's filly travelled noticeably well on her debut and was much too strong for a decent field of maidens. Boca Dancer is also sure to have no problems with the testing conditions being by the late Indian Ridge.
The biggest equine name on show, however, will be the former double champion hurdler Hardy Eustace who takes the first step on another return to Cheltenham with a run in the 14-furlong handicap. Hardy Eustace has been given a mark of 73 for his first start on the level since winning a Navan maiden three years ago. The presence of the trainer's son Richard Hughes on his back is an encouraging pointer and a good run can be expected.
Aidan O'Brien throws a team of four at the seven-furlong juvenile maiden and the presence of Séamus Heffernan on board the Gowran runner-up Mount Nelson indicates there should be significant improvement for that run.
Down at Clonmel, Michael Hourigan will be hoping the ground stays reasonable for Mossbank who makes his racecourse debut over fences in the novice chase. Hourigan has always had a high opinion of the six-year-old and he is worth checking, even against much more experienced opposition.
Smart flat horse Common World can take the opening maiden hurdle.
