Racing: Rider restricted by rib

AN INJURED rib was yesterday cited by the jockey Michael Tebbutt as the reason why he showed little vigour in riding to reach the best possible placing in a race at Southwell in June, writes John Cobb.

Tebbutt, and the trainer Ian Campbell were on the mat at the Jockey Club yesterday to explain themselves under the rule that covers 'non-triers'. They had been summoned to Portman Square because of the unenergetic riding of Qualitair Rhythm, unplaced in a handicap on 20 June. The Form Book comment for Qualitair Rhythm reads: 'held up and behind, steady headway final two furlongs, never placed to challenge'.

The Disciplinary Committee accepted Tebbutt's explanation that a rib cage injury - sustained in the afternoon at Redcar - had been aggravated during two races at Southwell, and that the jockey had been unable to ride out the filly. Tebbutt and Campbell were legally represented and Southwell's medical officer also gave evidence.

One rider who has received punishment from the Jockey Club, but for trying too hard, returns to the track today after serving his 10-day ban. Steve Cauthen, who was suspended for misuse of the whip on Witness Box and Daru at Goodwood, ironically has the latter among his six comeback mounts.

In the International Stakes, he partners Michael Stoute's Alnasr Alwasheek, who was eased slightly in the betting yesterday after the introduction of Rodrigo De Triano to the lists and some support for Seattle Rhyme. The colt, who was winter favourite for the Derby, will be partnered by Cash Asmussen, whose has made only infrequent forays to Britain this year.

Training problems forced Seattle Rhyme to miss the Derby and when he made his seasonal debut in a minor race at York last month he looked a shadow of the horse that had won last year's Racing Post Trophy and was beaten by Speaker's House. Nevertheless, Ladbrokes have cut Seattle Rhyme to 20-1 from 33-1 and William Hill to 16-1 from 25-1.

Peter Chapple-Hyam's pessimistic bulletin that Dr Devious may be short of a gallop has seen the colt drift from 9-2 with all the major firms to a best quote of 15-2 (with Coral).

LADBROKES: 5-4 Kooyonga, 6-1 Rodrigo De Triano, 7-1 Dr Devious & All At Sea, 9-1 Alnasr Alwasheek, 10-1 Ruby Tiger, 20-1 Seattle Rhyme & Zoman, 25-1 Masad, 33-1 Terimon, 66-1 Gussy Marlowe, 250-1 Bobzao.

WILLIAM HILL: 6-4 Kooyonga, 13-2 Dr Devious, 7-1 Alnasr Alwasheek, 8-1 Rodrigo De Triano, 10-1 Ruby Tiger, 16-1 Seattle Rhyme, 18-1 Zoman, 25-1 Masad, 33-1 Terimon, 66-1 Gussy Marlowe, 200-1 Bobzao.

CORAL: 13-8 Kooyonga, 13-2 Rodrigo De Triano, 7-1 Alnasr Alwasheek & All At Sea, 15-2 Dr Devious, 9-1 Ruby Tiger, 20-1 Terimon, Zoman & Seattle Rhyme, 25-1 Masad, 66-1 Gussy Marlowe, 100-1 Bobzao.