Gordon Elliott rails against 'barbaric' decision as controversial result stands

Gordon Elliott blasted a "barbaric" decision by the stewards not to award his runner Folcano victory at Navan on Friday after he had been continually impeded by first-past-the-post Brazos.

While Elliott was unhappy at the stewards' decision following the nose defeat in the 2m4f maiden hurdle, former champion jockey Ruby Walsh expressed his disbelief after the result was not amended when speaking in his role as a pundit on Racing TV.

"Is there any other sport in the world where the fouled doesn't get the free [kick]? It just beggars belief," he said.

Gordon Elliott: 'It's disappointing. I'll talk to the owners, but I don't think we'll appeal'Credit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Brazos drifted significantly to his right from the final hurdle, carrying Folcano to the centre of the track, eventually prevailing by a nose. A stewards' inquiry was called but it was deemed that Brazos had not improved his placing despite causing such interference.

Walsh argued Kevin Brouder had caused Brazos to drift by not switching his whip and as a result the Jack Kennedy-ridden runner-up had suffered in the closing stages.

He said: "In order for Kevin Brouder not to cause interference he has to pull the rein with his left hand, and to me he did not do so. To me, he has not made any effort to keep his horse straight and has allowed the interference to take place."

Watch: a controversial finish to the first division of the maiden hurdle

After landing the second division of the maiden hurdle with Gars De Sceaux, Elliott launched a stinging attack at what he deemed to be the inadequacies of the stewarding.

"The horse got a bump, he was only beaten a nose. I think the consistency of these stewards' inquiries at the moment is just barbaric," he said. "It's disappointing for the owners and he will have other days, but I don't know what you have to do to get a race – you nearly have to put a horse out through the rail.

"It's disappointing. I'll talk to the owners, but I don't think we'll appeal."

Brouder received a two-day ban for careless riding. Raceday officials declined to comment when approached.

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