BHA attempts to clarify stewards' decisions after New Year's Day controversy

The BHA on Thursday moved to clarify how racecourse stewards reach their decisions after two seemingly similar racing incidents on New Year’s Day resulted in contrasting outcomes and caused many on social media to question the consistency.

First, at Cheltenham, Protektorat was first past the post in the Listed Ballymore Novices' Hurdle, a head to the good from the Fergal O'Brien-trained Imperial Alcazar.

A stewards' inquiry was called and the places were ultimately reversed, with the Dan Skelton-trained five-year-old deemed to have caused interference.

However, at Musselburgh, where the Ann Hamilton-trained Nuts Well got the better of Cracking Destiny by a head in the Betway "Auld Reekie" Handicap Chase, a similar incident had a very different outcome with no stewards' inquiry called.

A tale of two in-running comments

The Racing Post in-running comments for the two horses read:

Protektorat Held up, headway 2 out, led last, ridden and edged right flat, all out, finished 1st, disqualified and placed 2nd

Nuts Well Close up, led and ridden 3 out, not fluent last, soon edged right, idled final 110yds, just prevailed

While the incidents were similar, it is understood the reasons behind the Musselburgh stewards choosing not to hold an inquiry were due to the winner being clear of the second when the crossing occurred.

Additionally, the jockey on the runner-up used his whip when directly behind the leader, confirming to the stewards he was not on his heels, with them taking the view that the reason the second switched was that, having made a mistake at the last, he was then closing on the winner who had gained a legitimate racing line.

Explaining the situation a BHA spokesperson said: "When determining the result of a race following interference, the stewards must decide whether the sufferer would have beaten the interferer but for the interference.

"In order to reach this decision they follow a series of questions and guiding principles, which are published publicly via the online guide to procedures and penalties which can be found on the BHA's rules website.

“Following these procedures ensures consistency in terms of the process followed to reach a decision, but it is very important to note that no two incidents are identical and in every case the decision will be taken based on its merits and specific circumstances.

“It is very difficult to directly compare two incidents as there are always going to be important differences.”

The disappointed connections of Protektorat have suggested they will lodge an appeal. The stewards' report stated Imperial Alcazar appeared to lose ground when forced to switch around his rival, which interrupted his running for three to four strides at a critical stage.

He was gaining on the winner all the way to the line – making up a length and a half before being beaten.

Jockey Harry Skelton was cautioned for careless riding for allowing his mount to drift right-handed and also received a four-day whip ban.

In a similar incident at Catterick on December 28, Pinch Of Ginger was awarded the Millbry Hill Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Chase after Paddling, whose majority owner is the head of the BHA Nick Rust, was adjudged to have cause interference that affected the result.

It is understood the Masters Of The Hall 2 syndicate who own Paddling do not intend to appeal.

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