Tuesday 2 June 2015 20:47, UK
Graham Gibbons escaped punishment from the Ripon stewards after he struck the filly All My Love in the stalls before a race.
The Pam Sly-trained three-year-old played up when she was loaded for the Follow At RiponRaces On Twitter Handicap and attempted to rear on to her back legs.
Gibbons could be seen on camera striking his mount, but the local officials agreed with the jockey that he took the measure in the interests of safety.
Stipendiary steward Robert Earnshaw said: "We held an inquiry into the incident and considered the improper conduct of Mr Gibbons.
"We noted his explanation, which was that the filly was attempting to rear and turn her head around, which left him concerned for his and her safety.
"He confirmed that he struck the filly, but with the flat of his hand to prevent either of them from injury. He did it as a corrective measure.
"This was done in the interests of safety and done purely as a corrective measure so therefore no action was taken."
Silvestre de Sousa made his first trip to Ripon since the 2012 season a profitable one by riding a double for Mark Johnston.
Fashionable Spirit initiated the brace when she got off the mark at the fourth time of asking in the British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Stakes.
Placed in the Lily Agnes on her second start, she had run too bad to be true last time out but the punters kept the faith.
Sending her off the 2/1 favourite, she was always in the box seat, winning by three and a half lengths.
"She's run in some pretty good races," said Johnston. "She was third in the Lily Agnes and then last time at Sandown I thought something must have gone wrong she ran so badly.
"We'll give her a break now, that's her fourth run."
Stablemate Mythical City (5/2 favourite) followed up a recent success at Haydock by winning the Follow At RiponRaces On Twitter Handicap by coming from the rear under De Sousa.
"That wasn't what I expected, for her to be out the back like that and come with a late run," said Johnston.
"Silvestre said they went very fast early but it didn't look it to me. I thought something was wrong with her.
"She's obviously in good heart and we'll have a look at getting her entered up next week in case she goes up more than a penalty."
Paul Hanagan is in the middle of a purple patch but needed all his skills to guide Ventura Quest home in the RiponBet Our Profits Stay In Racing Handicap.
Richard Fahey's 11/4 favourite made all of the running, but hung badly in the last two furlongs, meaning Hanagan could barely ride a finish. He still beat Cactus Valley by a length, though.
"That was very difficult," said Hanagan. "He does tend to hang but he wanted to get beyond the rail and I had a job keeping him off it. "To be fair, he put his head down close home."
Jedd O'Keeffe's string are going well and Instant Attraction (9-1) added to his win last time out at Chester under Jack Garritty.
"I was delighted when it rained on Monday night but I couldn't believe they were still calling it good ground when I got here," said O'Keeffe.
"When it rained again I was happy as he does need a bit a of cut.
"He's tough and genuine and seems as good over seven furlongs or a mile but I've no great plans. He's improving, though."
