Watch: Shepherd refutes ruling of Kempton stewards

has questioned the judge’s decision to call a dead- heat in the last race at Kempton on Wednesday night – a verdict which resulted in an 18-day suspension for the rider.

Riding the David Simcock-trained Thorntonledale Max in the seven-furlong handicap, Shepherd was found to have failed “to take all reasonable and permissible measures on a horse which would have finished outright first” after Flavour Maker grabbed a share of the first prize on the line.

However, Shepherd has expressed his doubt about the dead-heat call and consequently the decision to impose a lengthy ban for his ride.

After riding a winner at Chelmsford on Thursday, he told Racing TV viewers: "I do you feel it [the ban] was just unjustified. There are big question marks raised about the about photo – it was 8.30pm and really dark.

"It's hard for the judge to split but I think with the benefit of  time and technology there does appear to be a difference in mine and a lot other people's perspective, but that is a tough job.

"I [also] don't feel I've got any any questions to answer regards the riding, either. I thought I gave my horse every chance.

He added: "It would be nice if they could they could deal with it through the photo. I'm very much prepared [for] an then appeal if necessary, and I'm confident I'd win because I'm pretty emphatic that that I gave my horse every chance." 

 "To be accused of anything else really grinds."

Earlier, he had told the Nick Luck Daily Podcast: “To my eyes and the eyes of everyone who has looked at it in detail, I think it shows a clear gap between the Roger Varian-trained horse (Flavour Maker) and the line. We’re very much on and through the line.

“It was 8.30pm, the last race, it was dark but all you have to do is put your phone on full brightness and I think it’s pretty apparent to everyone who looks that it might be a small margin, but there is a distinct gap and a margin in our favour.

“It’s one they have got wrong I feel.

 “A dead-heat in any other circumstance would seem pretty inoffensive but it must be said in this specific case it’s very, very important to me, regardless of the accusation that I’d stopped riding, which I completely refute.

“The most straightforward process of dealing with it is to address the photo and I think it’s pretty clear an error has been made and we were the outright winner.”

Shepherd is currently set to be out of action from September 4-21 inclusive, a period which encompasses the St Leger meeting at Doncaster and the Ayr Gold Cup fixture.

Confirming his attention to appeal the ban, Shepherd added: “I just refute the allegation that I gave the horse anything but the best chance to win the race. Regardless of the photo, I’m pretty upset by that. It’s just insulting to riders to be accused of that and I will be taking action.”