The Appeals Body (Division 2) Mr. N.B. Wachman (in the chair) Mr. Laurence McFerran and Mr. James Hunt convened at Dundalk Racecourse on 23rd October 2020 to consider the Appeal of Mr. A.H. Wells (Trainer, Rider & Owner) against the decision of the Stewards at Punchestown on 13th October 2020.
On the day, following the running of the Ladbrokes Best Odds Maiden Hurdle, the Stewards suspended Mr. Wells for 21 racedays as the rider of Eileens Boy, fined him €3,000 as the trainer and suspended Eileens Boy for 60 days having found Mr. Wells in breach of Rule 212a(ii), in that his charge did not come under timely, real and substantial efforts to achieve the best possible place. The grounds of appeal were that the Stewards erred in their decision on the day and thus he was also appealing the suspension imposed on both him as the rider and on Eileens Boy as a consequence of the decision of the Stewards.
Evidence was heard from Mr. Wells and the Appeals Body also viewed a recording of the race.
In his evidence, Mr. Wells outlined the previous form of his charge and also outlined the difficulties settling the animal both at home and during a race. He said his charge made a mistake at the first hurdle but jumped and settled well after he had switched to the outside in order to give him light and confidence. He said his mount gave a heave at the end of the back straight and got detached at which point he gave the animal time to recover, before staying on in the home straight past tired horses. He accepted that he could have been seen to make more of an effort from the second last, but put this down to his riding style and inexperience. He concluded by expressing his delight with how Eileens Boy had finished out the race.
Having considered the evidence, the Appeals Body could not find fault with the decision of the Stewards on the day and dismissed the appeal in its entirety.
The case was presented by Mr. Liam Walsh, Stipendiary Steward. Mr. Wells was accompanied by Mr. John Fitzgerald (Restricted Trainers Association).
Mr. A.H. Wells suspension dates: 28th, 29th, 30th, 31st October & 1st, 3rd, 5th, 8th, 10th, 12, 13th, 14th, 15th, 17th, 19th, 20th, 21st, 22nd, 24th, 26th and 28th November
Eileens Boy suspension dates: 14th October - 13th December