BHA set to investigate wrong course incident

CHELTENHAM racecourse was on Saturday referred to the BHA after all four runners in the 2m4f novice chase won by even-money-favourite Kangaroo Court took the wrong course when groundstaff failed to remove a temporary running rail on the first circuit.

Approaching what would have been the last fence after another circuit, the jockeys were forced to take the hurdles course before reverting to the chase track.

A stewards' inquiry into the incident exonerated the riders and the result was allowed to stand, but a report on the affair will be forwarded to the BHA.

Stewards' secretary Simon Cowley said: "The jockeys all took the wrong course, but because they had no option and nobody gained any advantage, the result stands and the riders are not penalised.

"The course was incorrectly laid out - why that was the BHA will have tolook at."

Leighton Aspell, who partnered last-home Marty's Mission, was in front at the time of the incident and he said: "We had to go on the hurdles course or jump the tape rail that had been left up."

There was a similar episode at the track nine years ago at the intersection in front of the stands which resulted in the racecourse being fined.

Clerk of the course, Simon Claisse, said: "The piece of temporary rail was mistakenly left in due to human error for which I take full responsibility."