Harris is carpeted

THE trainer Jimmy Harris's enthusiasm for all-weather racing disappeared yesterday when a controversial stewards' inquiry cost him a victory at Lingfield, writes Ian Davies.

Harris was ruing his decision to come 150 miles through the snow from Leicestershire after Monkey Zanty was disqualified.

An inquiry was announced after the apprentice Paul Fessey had ridden Monkey Zanty to a length win over Chemcast in the opening race, but Harris was convinced his filly was not to blame. The stewards disagreed, demoting Monkey Zanty to last and banning Fessey for irresponsible riding from February 5 to 8.

Harris fumed: "They didn't even touch. I've battled through six inches of snow to get here. I feel like never coming back."

lTomorrow's cards at Plumpton and Ayr and Tuesday's fixtures at Nottingham and Musselburgh hinge on inspections today. Southwell (tomorrow) and Lingfield (Tuesday) should go ahead.