Cheltenham launches investigation after mysterious hole almost forces abandonment

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Cheltenham's clerk of the course Jon Pullin defended the decision to stage the final race of Trials day after a large hole opened on the track, leading to a lengthy delay and a new track configuration.

The Grade 2 AIS Novices' Hurdle, which rounded off the eight-race card, started 29 minutes late and concluded four minutes after sunset, meaning conditions were too dark to decipher a photo-finish between Kripticjim and Taurus Bay. Instead, the stewards had to use the video footage before confirming Kripticjim as the winner.

• Cheltenham Trials day news and reaction as it happened

The delay came after a hole, caused by a possible drainage issue, was found in the home straight. Images from Racing TV showed it was deep enough for the whole arm of a member of the groundstaff to disappear into the ground.

An investigation was held by Pullin and the Cheltenham team, with a rail repositioned to bypass the area, and jockeys Gavin Sheehan, Danny Mullins, Nico de Boinville and Sean Bowen, as well as trainers Nicky Henderson, Ben Pauling and Olly Murphy, agreed conditions were safe.

While the Henderson-trained favourite Act Of Innocence was withdrawn, there were no issues in the race with only one horse, The Blue Room, pulled up. The photo-finish, though, could not be used due to poor visibility but the stewards determined the 14-1 shot Kripticjim was a short head in front at the line.

The dark and blurry photo-finish to the final race

Cheltenham will undertake a thorough investigation of the track ahead of the festival in six weeks.

Pullin, speaking to Racing TV, said: "We were confident having reassessed the area around there that there was no false ground. It was fresh ground that hadn't been raced on. It was virtually on to the Old course, which hasn't been raced on since November.

"I wouldn't want to comment at the moment on what the cause is. We need to do some further exploratory work to understand what's caused it.

"We very carefully inspected the area that we were due to race over again and both myself and the participants were happy and comfortable that the area we were to race on was safe.

"We'll be doing some exploratory work to assess what's gone on. Firstly we need time to understand exactly what's caused this incident. Before we rush into making any other decisions we need to understand what we're dealing with here first and that's what we'll start with straight away."

Officials inspect the large hole on the trackCredit: Racing TV

Ben Pauling, the trainer of Taurus Bay, requested to see the stewards' footage and said it was "conclusive". He praised the BHA and Cheltenham for ensuring the Grade 2 was not abandoned.

He said: "You can't see the photo-finish because it's too dark, so we had to watch the video footage and that was conclusive. There was a question over the technology, so I wanted to see it for myself.

"There was a hole and at first there was a discussion not to run the race, but races like these are vital for the preparation. Even though we haven't won, that was the first time our horse has had a battle. He'll have learned so much and will be ten times better for it."

Asked about the photo-finish, he replied: "It is what it is. I wanted the race on but it's too dark for the photo-finish. It was a proper horse race and I'm delighted it went ahead."

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