WINNING jockey Callum Shepherd was banned and demoted after this ‘extremely unusual’ incident at Bath races.

Shepherd and Hector Crouch were battling it out in a thrilling finish to a 1m6f handicap on Monday.

Going for a gap up the inside, Shepherd looked to be getting the better of his rival on Iwantmytimewithyou.

But he was all but helpless to stop Captain Brett shifting to his right and causing a bump to Crouch’s mount.

In a tight, tough finish, Shepherd is seen taking his right hand off the reins.

And it is at this point stewards claimed he ‘extended his right arm making contact with Crouch in an apparent attempt to push him away’.

Stewards immediately moved to reverse the placings and ban Shepherd for five days – a suspension the Racing Post report called ‘extremely unusual’.

Their report read: “An enquiry was held to consider the placings in this race after interference inside the final furlong when the winner, CAPTAIN BRETT (IRE), ridden by Callum Shepherd interfered with IWANTMYTIMEWITHYOU, placed second, ridden by Hector Crouch.

“The Stewards considered that the interference had improved CAPTAIN BRETT (IRE)’s placing as CAPTAIN BRETT (IRE) shifted right-handed making contact with IWANTMYTIMEWITHYOU taking the gelding several horse widths off its intended line.

“The Stewards considered that IWANTMYTIMEWITHYOU had drawn level with CAPTAIN BRETT (IRE) and appeared to be finishing strongly at the time of the interference with the ground and momentum lost as a consequence greater than the distance of a head at the line and therefore revised the placings as follows: 1st IWANTMYTIMEWITHYOU, 2nd CAPTAIN BRETT (IRE), 3rd SNEAKY BLINDER (FR), 4th CHERRY COLA.

“Shepherd was suspended for five days for improper riding as at the time CAPTAIN BRETT (IRE) shifted right-handed taking IWANTMYTIMEWITHYOU off its intended line, Shepherd extended his right arm making contact with Crouch in an apparent attempt to push him away.”