Racing: Fine for Doughty

NEALE DOUGHTY, stable jockey to Gordon Richards, was fined pounds 450 by the Jockey Club's Disciplinary Committee yesterday for breaching a rule concerning non- triers. Richards was cleared of charges arising from the same incident.

At issue was the improved form shown by Thistle Monarch when winning a novice hurdle at Carlisle on 26 November, compared with his previous running at Ayr. In that race Thistle Monarch finished eighth, just over 22 lengths behind the runner-up, J P Morgan, but 13 days later at Carlisle that rival was seven lengths adrift as Thistle Monarch won with something to spare.

The committee heard evidence from Doughty, Richards and the handicapper and studied a video recording of the race at Ayr, which had not been available to the local stewards at Carlisle. Doughty was found to be in breach of the rule requiring a rider to take all reasonable measures to ensure the best placing for his mount.