Hillsin banned from racing for 40 days and Dylan Kitts Worcester ride referred to BHA

The five-year-old, who is trained by Chris Honour, was beaten a length and a half at the finish of the Wacky Weekender Festival Pitchcroft 21st-23rd July Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle, with his strong finish catching the eye of the stewards who inquired into his performance.

Both Kitts and Honour were interviewed and shown recordings of the race, with the rider stating his instructions were to “drop out early” and “take his time before mounting a late challenge”.

Kitts reported Hillsin “made a respiratory noise towards the end of the back straight, which continued on several more occasions throughout the race” and the gelding had also hung right-handed, which had “restricted his ability to be more vigorous in the home straight".

Honour confirmed those instructions and acknowledged the horse had hung, but “did express concerns over the manner in which Hillsin was ridden specifically from jumping the last hurdle".

He also said he emphasised to Kitts that the horse needed to be held onto for as long as possible based on his run at Exeter in April two starts previously, when running for a different yard.

The stewards referred the ride to the BHA’s head office and imposed a 40-day ban on the horse.

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