All about angles: two winning posts needed at Sandown for fairly run chases

The reason Sandown has two winning lines is to ensure chases are run fairly, but the latest confusion caused by the pair of posts could lead to a change.

Sandown's long-serving clerk of the course Andrew Cooper explained that the contrasting layout of the hurdle and chase course at Sandown was the reason for having two winning lines, which have been in place since before he started at the Jockey Club-owned racecourse 25 years ago.

While the hurdle course is on the traditional round course racing line, the chase course juts out in the home straight before converging with the hurdle course in the last 100 yards.

Cooper said: "The different posts reflect the very different angles of the two courses and produce an equal distance from the last obstacles to produce a fair and even result.

"I have looked at this at least five time in my time here, but it is not my decision as it involves the views of the course inspector, the regulator and the judge as well as concerns about interference on the run-in trying to take the shortest route."

A picture was taken at the wrong winning post

In the past controversy has been caused by jockeys mistaking the winning posts and not riding out to the second post in hurdle and Flat races.

Cooper was receptive to trialling just one winning post which would be the second one, used on the hurdles course, but warned that would give an advantage to a chaser making a beeline to the stands' rail after jumping the last to take a shorter route.

"We haven't gone down the route because of integrity and fairness. It could be trialled, but we won't be rushing into any decision in the next few weeks."

That would rule out any trial for the jump season finale next month, featuring the bet365 Gold Cup.

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