Lucy Gardner was suspended 14 days for misjudging a race distance at Fontwell
Monday 23 February 2015 06:01, UK
Lucy Gardner was suspended for 14 days for misjudging a race distance and failing to ride a finish in the totepoolliveinfo.com Handicap Hurdle over an extended two and a quarter miles.
The 5lb claimer sat motionless aboard Sirop De Menthe, trained by the jockey's mother, Sue, along the run-in, when seemingly in a commanding position.
Sirop De Menthe, the 2-1 joint-favourite, ended up finishing second behind Very Noble, who was pushed out to score by four and a half lengths.
Lucy Gardner told the local stewards she had mistaken the race distance, thinking she had another circuit to go before the finish, and had consequently not ridden the five-year-old gelding out to the line.
Gardner will be banned from March 8-21, which would see her miss the Cheltenham Festival.
