RACING News and previews: Pat Smullen will be hoping he has better luck on Grey Swallow in tomorrow's King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes than he had at the Turf Club yesterday when he had an appeal against a one-day suspension thrown out.
The result is the former champion jockey will now miss the first two days of the Galway festival, a week where his boss, Dermot Weld, traditionally has a strong hand.
"There's no point saying it isn't disappointing to miss those days because it is," said Smullen yesterday. "I thought I was right to appeal, they obviously didn't, but that's just the way it goes. I had a fair hearing."
Smullen picked up the ban for careless riding on board the Weld-trained Hidden Charm in Sunday's Nursery at the Curragh. The day before he had received another day for his use of the whip on the International Stakes winner Moonlight Dance.
At yesterday's Appeals and Referrals Committee hearing, evidence was heard from Smullen and fellow jockey Declan McDonogh while written evidence was submitted from a vet who looked at Hidden Charm in Dermot Weld's yard the day after the race.
However, the appeal was turned down and Smullen's deposit forfeited.
Smullen will be at Fairyhouse this evening but that is very much a warm up for Grey Swallow and what will be the jockey's first ever King George ride.
Describing tomorrow's highlight as the "hottest race of the year" Smullen also said he is confident that his Irish Derby winner is in the form of his life.
Grey Swallow had Bago, Ace and the King George favourite Azamour behind him when winning at the Curragh in May, but Smullen says he will not be watching out for one danger in particular.
"At that level they are all dangers. Bago only has to find half a length and I'm sure his people are confident he can do that. Azamour was unlucky on the day but it's not just about one horse. Martin Dwyer seems to be very confident about Phoenix Reach, Ace has his chance and Eswarah could be a superstar filly.
"The ground is good to firm at Newbury and as long as it is safe, with no real firmness in it, then it won't be a problem for anyone. It will be my first King George ride, but I rode a double at Newbury before for Brian Meehan so there is no problem there," Smullen added.
A total of 12 horses will line up for the King George after yesterday's final declaration stage saw the sole three-year-old Eswarah finally confirmed for the all-aged feature.
Ace, who has been placed in three Group One races already this year, will represent Aidan O'Brien and Kieren Fallon after his stable companion Yeats was ruled out.
"We want to give him more time before his next race," said O'Brien. Yeats holds an entry in next month's International Stakes at York's Ebor meeting.
The ground at Galway ahead of next week's festival is currently "good to firm" but heavy rain is forecast over the weekend. "It won't do a bit of harm," said the Galway manager John Moloney yesterday. "And it is supposed to pick up for the week itself."
Johnny Murtagh is in action at Fairyhouse this evening and could make an impression in the sprint handicap on Lone Plainsman who returned to some sort of form when fifth to Night Delight at Cork. Queens Musician was a good winner at Ballinrobe on Tuesday evening and a 5lb penalty doesn't look enough to stop Pat Hughes's horse following up.
Hughes can also hit the scoresheet at Limerick with Timber Scorpion who started favourite at Killarney only to finish third to Morning Glow.
It's five years since Tushna's greatest day when winning the McDonogh at Galway but a third to Irish Blade at Killarney last time suggests this evening's amateur hurdle can fall to him too.
KING GEORGE BETTING: (Paddy Power): 9-4 Azamour, 100-30 Grey Swallow, 5 Bago, 7 Eswarah, 9 Ace, 11 Phoenix Reach, 12 Gamut, 25 Doyen and Policy Maker, 33 bar.
