Sports Digest/Racing: Johnny Murtagh has until tomorrow to decide whether to appeal against the riding ban which has ruled him out of the mount on Epsom Derby favourite Motivator.
The multiple Group One-winning pilot picked up a three-day suspension for careless riding in the last race at Lingfield yesterday.
He was found to have caused interference in the early stages of the Lingfield Leisure Club Median Auction Maiden Stakes - which he eventually won on Miss Brush - having cut across to the rails from his high draw.
The jockey's dates of suspension are June 4th - Derby Day - 5th and 6th.
Jockeys' Association chief executive John Blake said last night: "I haven't seen the race yet. I'll have a look at it tonight and in the morning and we'll take a view from there.
"We have until 5pm on Thursday to decide whether to appeal. I've just spoken to Johnny, obviously he's very concerned and we'll talk again tomorrow."
Earlier yesterday, the Michael Bell-trained Motivator had delighted connections as he was put through his paces on the Newmarket gallops. The son of Montjeu was partnered by Murtagh up the Al Bahathri with two stable companions. The unbeaten colt, winner of the Racing Post Trophy and the Dante Stakes, is around 5 to 2 for the premier Classic at Epsom on Saturday week.
In other Derby news Richard Hughes has been booked to ride John Dunlop's Kong and Alan Munro will partner French raider Walk In The Park.
HOCKEY: After warm-up games against Italy in Dublin this evening and tomorrow, Ireland play Italy and Canada in a tri-nations tournament in Cork at the weekend, writes Dermot Ashmore. The objective of the matches is to see as many players as possible before the squad moves into the final stages of the preparations for the European Championship (B division) tournament in Rome in September.
"I will be experimenting with different combinations and tactics," said national coach David Passmore. " Some players have a lot to prove and others need to convince me they are prepared to make the sacrifices required to give ourselves the best chance of fulfilling our ambitions".
The two flying visits of Belgium in March (providing a win and a defeat) gave Passmore an initial view of Ireland's capabilities. Now the net has been cast wider and after intensive training, it is anticipated that this week's games will bear fruitful results. Certainly, success will be expected against Italy. In the last meeting between the countries, Ireland emerged with a 3-2 win in the 2003 European Championship (A division) in Barcelona.
Tonight at Grange Road, Paddy Brown of Instonians, in his 70th international, captains an Irish side in which it is hoped Gordon Elliott of Pembroke Wanderers will return after injury to enliven the attack. It is noted that Gareth Lennox of Banbridge comes in as number two goalkeeper to Charlie Henderson (in the absence of Nigel Henderson) while Johnny Moore of Annadale figures in the development squad for tomorrow's match.
IRELAND (squad v Italy at Grange Road, Dublin, this evening, 8.0): C Henderson (Corinthians), G Lennox (Banbridge); D Bane (Aer Lingus), A Barbour (Cookstown), J Brennan (Glennane), P Brown (Instonians) capt, K Burns (Cork C of I), S Butler (Antwerp Dragons), G Elliott (Pembroke Wanderers), M Gleghorne (Loughborough), R Gormley (Pembroke Wanderers), D Hobbs (Cork C of I), I Lewers (Annadale), E Magee (Banbridge), P Maguire (Dublin University), G Shaw (Annadale), J Sherriff (Antwerp Dragons), B Waring (Lisnagarvey).
IRELAND (Development squad v Italy, Grange Road, tomorrow, 7.30): C Henderson, J Moore (Annadale); D Bane, A Barbour, J Brennan, S Butler, M Gleghorne, R Gormley , I Lewers, E Magee, P Maguire, J Quigley (Annadale), S Redpath (Annadale), G Ringwood (Three Rock Rovers), D Robb (Annadale), J Sherriff, G Watkins (Monkstown).
IRELAND (squad for tri-nations tournament at Garryduff, Cork, v Italy, Friday, 8.0; v Canada, Sunday, 2.0): W Bateman (Cork Harlequins), C Henderson; J Black (Harlequins), M Black (Harlequins), P Brown, K Burns, S Butler, T Cockram (Lisnagarvey), D Eakins (Harlequins), G Elliott, D Hobbs, M Irwin (Instonians), S Nicholson (Harlequins), M Raphael (Lisnagarvey), G Shaw, J Sherriff, D Smyth (Annadale), B Waring.
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