Lynch escapes with six-day ban

Fergal Lynch breathed a huge sigh of relief at Portman Square today, when a hearing which was expected to end in a lengthy ban resulted in only a six-day suspension.

The 25-year-old Irishman was on the mat over his conduct during and after a stewards' inquiry at Ripon on 7 July, when he allegedly lost his temper and picked up a chair in a threatening manner.

A disciplinary committee found him guilty of abusive behaviour, but he was cleared of threatening the stewards after apologising for conduct which he said was prompted by the fact that he had been wasting hard and rushing down from Musselburgh to attend the inquiry. Jockey Club PR director John Maxse said: "Fergal will be banned from 31 July 31 to 6 August for behaving abusively to the stewards and their secretaries on several occasions.

"The panel took account of his apology and imposed a ban which equates to a fine of around £2,500 given his potential earnings for this period."

Today's ban marked a low point in what has been a chequered career for Lynch. He looked to have the world at his feet as an apprentice when winning the Ebor Handicap aboard Clerkenwell for Sir Michael Stoute in 1996.

Lynch admitted that complacency played a part in his failure to progress once he lost his right to claim, but a renewed appetite last year saw him finish-10th in the Flat jockeys' table with his first century of winners.