Kinane in Motivator trial

14 April 2012

Mick Kinane will partner Classic hope Motivator in a piece of homework before confirming he will take the ride on Michael Bell's son of Montjeu in next month's UltimatePoker.com 2,000 Guineas.

The mount on the twice-raced colt has become available following Kieren Fallon's appointment as stable jockey to Ballydoyle. Fallon guided Motivator to success in last year's Racing Post Trophy.

Harry Herbert, spokesman for owners the Royal Ascot Racing Club, said: "Michael has spoken to Mick and he wants to ride the horse. I am sure that, like all top jockeys, he will want to see what is round and about, but he is extremely keen."

"He saw the horse the week before last and will ride him in a piece of work in a couple of weeks' time.

Hopefully, once he has sat on him and seen what this horse can do, he will confirm that he wants to ride him."

Motivator romped home in the Racing Post Trophy last October when beating Aidan O'Brien's Albert Hall by two and half lengths, and is a 14-1 chance for the 2,000 Guineas, while he is as short as 6-1 for the Vodafone Derby.

Meanwhile, Shane Kelly was suspended for 14 days and trainer James Eustace fined £2,000 over the running and riding of Local Fancy at Warwick yesterday.

The two-year-old filly, who was returned at 8-1 after opening at 6-1, was also banned from running for 40 days following the Racing UK Median Auction Maiden Fillies' Stakes.

Making her racecourse debut, Local Fancy was slowly away and ran green. She made headway in the closing stages to finish fourth, beaten four and three-quarter lengths by the winner, Sounds Simla.

After interviewing Newmarket trainer Eustace and the jockey, as well as viewing recordings of the race, the stewards decided to punish them under the non-triers' rule. HOWARD JOHNSON has had two Grand National-style fences built as he prepares his big-race possibles for a tilt at Aintree.

The County Durham trainer has last season's Scottish National winner Grey Abbey and Ballybough Rasher in the John Smith'ssponsored spectacular on 9 April.

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