ABSOLUTE carnage unfolded in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase at Cheltenham on Friday afternoon as one horse galloped off course and another collided with the railings.
Things began to go pear shaped when the 10-3 favourite Tommie Beau took a wrong turn under Micheal Nolan.
Felix De Giles had to yank hard right to stop his charge following in the hoofprints of Tommie Beau as he galloped the WRONG side of the rail
Jockey Micheal Nolan tried to correct his error, but Tommie Beau had other ideas
Poor Nolan was left galloping all by himself in no man’s land
And the drama continued when, only a few strides later, Sweet David’s saddle got caught on the rail
The horses in behind had to dodge the rail, which was left in disrepute after the collision
The unruly gelding, who had been travelling very well, galloped to the left of the rail despite his jockey doing everything he could to stay on course.
And he almost took the subsequent winner, Sweet David, with him as he stubbornly charged in the wrong direction.
Sweet David’s jockey, Felix De Giles, was having a total fiasco as ride only a few strides later, his saddle got caught on the rail.
A long stretch of white railing was attached to the horse for a stride before it snapped in half completely.
The horses in behind had to pull right sharply to avoid the wreckage.
The Gabriel Leenders-trained Sweet David, a 5-1 shot, went on to win the race, helped by the fact the 10-3 fav had travelled off course.
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Punters were quick to blame Nolan on X.
One said: “Awful jockey error. Tommie Beau was cruising.”
Another added: “Totally embarassing ride.”
Another added: “Jockey should hang his head in shame and get a 28 day ban.”
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