PUNTERS were left in 'despair' after seeing what appeared on the track in the middle of this Redcar horse race.
Muker was the 10-1 winner of the eight-runner Class 3 five-furlong sprint at the North Yorkshire track.
But there could have been a disaster approaching the furlong pole as TV cameras picked up a football in the middle of the track.
Ready Freddie Go was forced to swerve the object when thundering along at top speed.
It doesn't bear thinking about what could have happened had the horses not had the mind to gallop past the unexpected object.
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One viewer who posted footage of the bizarre incident online posted: "What looks like a football on the course at Redcar.
"I despair sometimes. Who is taking a football to the races?"
A stewards' enquiry was held into the surreal goings-on.
It read: "An enquiry was held to consider the circumstances surrounding why there was a football on the racing line as the runners approached the final furlong.
"The Clerk of the Course was interviewed and shown recordings of the race.
"He explained that all the pre-race checks were completed as normal and that the ball had been kicked onto the racing line after the race had started.
"He further added that he would ensure that there were more staff patrols in the area in the future. His explanation was noted."
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