Racing: Spencer ban boosts Moore advantage

The mountain that Jamie Spencer must climb to retain his status as champion jockey was formally measured yesterday when the Horseracing Regulatory Authority confirmed the latest in a series of riding misdemeanours.

An incident of careless riding at Newmarket last week triggered an automatic 14-day ban because Spencer had already served 20 days of suspension for interference during the previous 12 months. Though he was given a further two days for the Newmarket infringement, three days are deferred until October.

Even so, his suspension - between July 28 and August 9 - embraces two of the showcase meetings of the summer, at Ascot next weekend and at Goodwood.

Spencer started the day a dozen winners behind Ryan Moore in the championship, and Coral now make him 6-1 to keep the crown, with Moore as short as 1-10. That may overstate their chances, however, as Moore can scarcely be expected to maintain the hectic pace he set last month.