Sport

Grecian Myth to score for Kinane

There may be three Flat races at Tipperary this afternoon but possibly an even more crucial date in the fight for the jockeys…

Wed Oct 31 2001 - 00:00

There may be three Flat races at Tipperary this afternoon but possibly an even more crucial date in the fight for the jockeys' title will be Friday when John Murtagh's appeal against a two-day ban will be heard at the Turf Club.

The suspension for careless riding which he picked up at Fairyhouse a week ago would effectively finish Murtagh's championship hopes as it would rule him out of action after tomorrow's fixture at Clonmel.

Including today, there is only a total of 21 races left in the season and Murtagh trails Pat Smullen (80) by three winners, with Mick Kinane in third on 75.

However, if Murtagh's appeal, which is scheduled for 9.00 on Friday morning, is successful, it would throw the race wide open again, especially in the light of the end-of-season form being shown by the John Oxx string.

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It won't be the first time this season that the Turf Club headquarters will become the focus of attention. Kinane's appeal against a ban that threatened to keep him from riding Galileo in the King George dominated racing's headlines last July.

Smullen, Murtagh and Kinane are all in action this afternoon but of the trio, it looks like it might be only Kinane who could come away from the Junction with an increased total.

The former champion has picked up the ride on the Pat Flynn-trained Grecian Myth in the second division of the nine-furlong handicap and Kinane's presence could be the crucial factor on a horse that ran third to Tortue at Leopardstown on Saturday.

Aidan O'Brien runs the Naas winner Kasparov under topweight in the nursery, but the extra furlong trip might not be ideal for the colt and preference is for Nutley King, who was only three lengths off the subsequent Stakes winner Marionnaud in the Birdcatcher.

Nutley King's trainer, Jim Gorman, had a welcome return to winning form at the weekend and that can help the confidence behind the topweight Christy Senior in the first division of the handicap.

Christy Senior ran well for a long way behind Catch Ball at Fairyhouse. Ivan De Vonnas in the novice hurdle would also be a welcome winner for Arthur Moore, who lost Feathered Leader to injury at the weekend.