Wolverhampton race reduced to chaotic scenes and two runners after false start

09 April 2024 , 10:15

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Just two runners ended up in the seven furlong contest (Image: @AtTheRaces)

Chaotic scenes at Wolverhampton saw just two runners take in its final race after a false start.

Rose Fandango got to finish the seven furlong event less than a length ahead of sole rival A Pint Of Bear. The horses were the only ones left after nine others were withdrawn due to an issue on Monday evening.

Runners had broken out for the Download The Racecourse App Raceday Ready Handicap, when its starter waved a flag repeatedly to tell them to stop.

However due to the race distance, some jockeys struggled to pull up, especially Mia Nicholls on Kimifive and Elisha Whittington riding Mudlahhim.

They crossed the line and were disqualified, along with Gordonstoun, Swiss Rowe, Ravenglass, Port Noir, Absolute Dream and Carry On Aitch who all followed.

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Dougie Costello managed to halt Oriental Sprit, but he was withdrawn by trainer Stuart Kittow, as Rose Fandango and A Pint Of Bear headed back to the stalls to try again.

And it was the original 25-1 shot who got the better of his 6-1 opponent, following a 13 minute delay to proceedings and a veterinary inspection.

However there was confusion for many on the betting front, with an 85p Rule 4 deduction eventually coming through to account for the non-starters.

Jockeys trying to stop their horses after the Download The Racecourse App Raceday Ready Handicap's false start (@AtTheRaces)

That meant a £5 each-way stake on Rose Fandango paid £32.50, instead of £160.

"It happens once in a million," said jockey Rossa Ryan. "There was a good few of them that couldn't get their horses pulled up and that’s just the way the cookie crumbles.”

A stewards enquiry looked into the circumstances of the incident, which will be considered further by racing chiefs at the sport's HQ.

"The starters, the starting stalls team leader, the clerk of the course, the executive eirector, the advanced flag operator, trainee advance flag operator and all riders were interviewed and shown recordings," a summary stated.

"Having heard their evidence, the stewards ordered a report to be forwarded to the head office of the British Horseracing Authority."

Melissa Jones