Jason Maguire is to make a swift return to the saddle at Exeter
Friday 20 February 2015 12:12, UK
Jason Maguire is to make a swift return to the saddle at Exeter after escaping serious injury in a fall at Musselburgh on Thursday.
The Grand National-winning rider gave up his last ride of the day at the East Lothian circuit after he banged a wrist in a tumble from Donald McCain's Silver Gent at the first fence of the William Hill - Home Of Racing Handicap Chase.
The fall came just 24 hours after Maguire was hit with a 14-day ban at Ludlow that would rule him out of the Cheltenham Festival, though he has lodged an appeal.
The jockey will, however, serve a previous three-day suspension, starting on Saturday, so was keen not to miss any further action.
He should have been ridden at Warwick this afternoon, but has switched to Exeter, where he has picked up two rides for trainer Kim Bailey.
"I'm OK and I'm going to Exeter to ride a couple for Kim Bailey," said Maguire.
Maguire's appeal will be heard next Thursday at 9.30am, the British Horseracing Authority has announced.
Both Maguire and trainer Ben Pauling, who was fined £3,000, will hope to have their punishment overturned.
The pair were in trouble after Maguire finished seventh on the Pauling-trained Born To Succeed in the Onny Maiden Hurdle (watch the video replay).
Maguire's mount was beaten 23 and three-quarters of a length, but the local stewards found him guilty of "schooling/conditioning the horse on the racecourse".
The jockey is due to be sidelined between March 4-17 which would see him miss the four-day Festival, which begins on March 10. Born To Succeed was also banned from running in any race for 40 days.
