'They've gone two different ways!' - French farce has commentator in stitches

Commentator Ian Bartlett was left in stitches when a difference of opinion among jockeys meant there were two separate races in the Bruyeres Chase at Fontainebleau.

The riders aboard Paintball and Erik Le Viking opted to take the outside course in the 2m6f chase, while the main body of the field stayed closer to the running rail at the French track.

Paintball and Erik Le Viking negotiated one set of fences while the rest of the six-runner field jumped another adjacent set.

"Oh they've gone two different ways!" the commentator exclaimed. "We've got two races here, let's hope one bunch work out who has gone the wrong way soon."

The caller giggled throughout and matters were confused further when the nearside group, following the correct route, nearly crossed paths with a groundsman.

Bartlett despaired: "Hold all your tickets because lord alone knows what the stewards will make of this and what eventually will win!"

How it happened . . .

After jumping several fences Paintball and Erik Le Viking re-joined the other runners when the courses merged but found themselves several lengths behind.

The favourite Saint Pair, from the main group, wore down Hyghliner Great in the closing stages to win under David Gallon for Hector de Lageneste and Guillaume Macaire in Friday's race.

Paintball and Erik Le Viking were subsequently disqualified by the stewards.

Read more:

'The television didn't lie, they came pretty close' – France's craziest race

Wacky races: four wide of the wing and a refusal in French farce

Oli Bell: 'The Queen said to me – you're the lunatic that ran on the track!'

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