The Appeals Body (Division Two), Judge Tony Hunt (in the Chair), Philip Caffrey and Mrs Valerie Cooper met in the Turf Club, The Curragh, Co. Kildare on Monday, 2nd December, 2013, to consider an appeal from riders R.W. Barron, B. Browne, R.P. Geoghegan, N.M. Kelly, R.P. McNamara, G.L. Murphy, B. O’Neill, P. Power and G.A. Spain, against the decision of the Acting Stewards at Ormond Point to Point on 17th November, 2013.  The Stewards adjudged that the above riders were all in breach of Regulations 30 and 31 of the Regulations for Point to Point Steeplechases in regard to the starting procedure for this race (Open Lightweight Race) and they consequently suspended each rider from riding for two point to point race days.

The grounds of appeal stated each rider was not in breach of Regulations 30 (xi) and 30 (xii).

Evidence was heard from Ms Sacha Maxwell, Turf Club Official, who was present at the start, riders N.M. Kelly, R. Barron, P. Power, G.L. Murphy and G.A. Spain.  A written submission from Robert Kenny, Starter, was noted and a recording of the start was also reviewed.

Having considered the evidence, and in the absence of oral evidence from the Starter, the Committee applied the benefit of the doubt arising from the evidence heard by them and allowed the Appeal in this particular circumstance.

The case was presented by Paul Murtagh, Turf Club Official.  The riders were represented by Andrew Coonan of Coonan Cawley Solicitors, Naas, Co. Kildare.