| Lynch forced to apply for British licence • Disgraced jockey looks to return after year in limbo • American authorities wait for BHA clearanceFergal Lynch is expected to apply for a British jockey's licence barely a year after admitting that he once stopped a horse. The disgraced rider had hoped to resume his career in the United States but has been told that the authorities there will not grant a licence until he has been licensed in Britain.Last year Lynch struck up a hugely successful partnership with his brother Cathal, a trainer at Philadelphia Park, and won the equivalent of £1.5m in prize money in six months before his right to ride there was suspended by the Pennsylvanian Racing Commission.That decision followed an investigation by the British Horseracing Authority which ended in a bargain between Lynch and the BHA. Under the terms of that deal Lynch admitted the truth of certain charges, paid £50,000 to the BHA and agreed not to ply his trade in this country for a full year.It seemed a small price to pay in light of the offences to which he confessed, which included stopping Bond City from winning a five-furlong race at Ripon in August 2004.By itself that would normally have attracted a 30-month worldwide ban but Lynch's deal was constructed with the aim of preserving his ability to ride in America. The BHA specifically agreed "not to invite any other jurisdiction to impose any restriction on Lynch's licence".But the United States authorities chose to act anyway, preventing Lynch from riding there during the year when he had agreed not to ride in Britain. When that period passed in July, Lynch applied again to ride at Philadelphia Park but has now been rebuffed.The state regulator consulted with the BHA, asking whether Lynch would be regarded as a fit and proper person to hold a licence in Britain. The BHA replied that it could offer no answer, as Lynch had not gone through the licensing process, but confirmed there were no disciplinary proceedings outstanding and that Lynch had paid his fine. That answer, it appears, has not satisfied the Americans.Lynch has been left with no option but to apply to ride in Britain. "We are expecting an application, though we have not received it yet," the BHA's Paul Struthers said. Struthers could not comment on the likely response but it seems certain the BHA would oppose the granting of a licence, as it did in the recent case of Darren Williams, on the grounds that Lynch fails the "fit and proper person" test. That would then lead to a hearing of the BHA's licensing committee at which the jockey could state his case.At Ayr yesterday, far away from controversy, Paul Hanagan put on a display of determination and talent that extended his clear lead in the jockey's championship.Hanagan rode a treble, at odds of evens, 8-1 and 15-2 aboard Alben Star, Arctic Feeling and Opening Nite. The winning distances were a neck, a neck and a nose, respectively.Perhaps the victory on Arctic Feeling showed Hanagan's skills to greatest effect. The Richard Fahey-trained horse had been well beaten in the Flying Childers at Doncaster last week but this time travelled ominously well under Hanagan towards the back of the field in the Harry Rosebery Stakes.The favourite, Krypton Factor, held the lead heading inside the final furlong as he went in search of a fourth successive win but once a gap came, Arctic Feeling rattled home and got up close home to take the prize from Seb Sanders and Krypton Factor.Alben Star had earlier justified even-money favouritism in the nursery. Hanagan crowned a vintage afternoon in the final race on Opening Nite, winning the handicap in a photo-finish from the David Allan-ridden Hades.Horse racingChris Cookguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
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