Racing NewsJamie Spencer looks set to miss the 1,000 Guineas after being given a one-day ban at Leopardstown on Sunday. The new number one jockey at Ballydoyle was due to ride Necklace for Aidan O'Brien in the UltimateBet.com-sponsored fillies' Classic at Newmarket on Sunday week.
But he is now likely to sit out the one-mile feature after being handed the suspension for excessive and improper use of the whip when winning the Leopardstown 1,000 Guineas Trial on Royal Tigress for the Ballydoyle trainer.
The only chance he has of taking the ride would be if he put in an appeal, but that appears to be unlikely. "At the moment he is not going to appeal. He gave me the indication yesterday that he wasn't. I've heard nothing since that he is going to change his mind," said his agent Eddie Byrne yesterday. "I think he would have to make his mind up by tomorrow if he was going to appeal."
Had Spencer committed the offence in Britain the punishment would not have taken effect on 1,000 Guineas day, as Group One race-days are excluded.
Jockey Club spokesman Owen Byrne said: "He was riding in Ireland and the Irish don't have it in their rules that there is a deferral on a Group One day."
Meanwhile, Minehead trainer Philip Hobbs could be double-handed in Saturday's Gold Cup at Sandown after leaving both Gunther McBride and What's Up Boys in the £150,000 contest.
A total of 23 horses stood their ground at yesterday's confirmation stage, with notable absentees including Joss Naylor, Irish Hussar and Artic Jack.
However, Hobbs is planning to run both his entries, although the weather will ultimately determine their participation. "What's Up Boys is an intended runner, but Gunther McBride will only run if the ground is good or firmer," said the trainer.
Should Gunther McBride run, he will be a fresh horse, having missed Saturday's Scottish Grand National at Ayr, while What's Up Boys was brought down at Becher's first time round in the Aintree Grand National. Hobbs reports the 10-year-old to be none the worse for his tumble.
The defection of several horses from the top of the handicap means the weights will currently rise by 15lb, with the top weight on 11st 12lb. That leaves What's Up Boys on 11st 8lb, although he could end up with top weight should Willie Mullins withdraw Alexander Banquet.
"I've no option but to run What's Up Boys at the weights," commented Hobbs.
"The handicapper decides what to give us and we don't get a choice over that. If Gunther McBride runs then I presume Richard Johnson will ride him and Paul Flynn will ride What's Up Boys."
Gunther McBride, who was third in the race 12 months ago, had to bypass Ayr on Saturday due to the rain-softened ground, something that may happen again if the forecast proves correct.
"We had 20mm of rain throughout Sunday and there is rain forecast for the next two days," said Sandown clerk of the course Andrew Cooper. At present the jumps course is good, good to soft in places, and the Flat is good to soft."
The Grade Three contest is the final major race of the National Hunt season and Martin Pipe, going all out to secure the trainers' championship, has eight entries, including Grand National third Lord Atterbury.
The eight-year-old, who is clear favourite with the leading bookmakers, may be the pick of Pipe's team, but he also has a likely candidate in Stormez, who stayed on to take sixth in the Scottish Grand National.
The Nicholashayne handler's other entries are Puntal, Iznogoud, Bounce Back, Royal Predica, Carryonharry and Imperial De Thaix.
His main rival, Paul Nicholls, has three entered - Royal Auclair, Fasgo and Early Edition. Royal Auclair has been in good form in recent months and followed up a second to subsequent Scottish National winner Grey Abbey by finishing third in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham.
In addition to Alexander Banquet, Mullins has left Royal & SunAlliance Chase winner Rule Supreme in the extended three-mile-five-furlong feature, while Ted Walsh could be represented by Never Compromise.
