RACING: Johnny Murtagh won his appeal to the Irish Turf Club yesterday against a €2,000 fine for pulling out of two rides at the Curragh because he could not do the weight.

He cried off the British-trained pair Notable Lady in the Group One Phoenix Stakes and Caldy Dancer in the Group Three Debutante Stakes on August 10th because he was unable to ride at the required weight of 8st 11lb.

The Curragh stewards said they were "not satisfied with his conduct and recent record in this regard", but Murtagh felt the fine was over the top.

Murtagh attended yesterday's hearing of the Appeals and Referrals Committee, who found there was no breach of rule and allowed his appeal.

The jockey's weight problems intensified following a fall from Red Power at Royal Ascot in June and he has taken a complete break from riding over the last two weeks.

He is, however, set to return to the saddle at Limerick tomorrow to do 9st 7lb on Hanabad for owner the Aga Khan and trainer John Oxx in the Advanced Securities Race over a mile for three-year-olds. He is also hoping to ride Alamshar in the Ireland The Food Island Champion Stakes at Leopardstown on Saturday.

Jimmy Fortune will have to wait until tomorrow to learn the full extent of the back problem that caused him to collapse at the Curragh on Sunday.

The jockey left hospital in Salisbury yesterday afternoon and headed for his Wiltshire home. His agent, Tony Hind, said: "He had an X-ray last night but has to go back for an MRI scan on Wednesday morning."

Meanwhile, Limestone Lad faces an extended spell on the sidelines. The 11-year-old has been suffering from a tendon injury, which he picked up sometime in April, according to Michael Bowe, son of trainer James.

He will have the injury scanned but the likelihood is he will be out for the jumps' season.