Lone sheep puts Sedgefield on hold but fails to derail unstoppable Hughes

A day after a swarm of bees caused havoc at Worcester, a lone sheep delayed racing at Sedgefield after escaping from an adjacent field and getting loose on the track.

The field was at the post for the 2m1f novice handicap hurdle (3.00) when the woolly intruder was spotted by groundstaff. After some expert shepherding, including from four men in Hi-Vis jackets, they managed to get the errant grazer through a gate and back into the safety of the centre of the course.

Racecourse commentator Derek Thompson, who was born for moments like these, said over the PA system: "A big round of applause for the sheepherders – well done!"

Clerk of the course Michael Naughton said: "The farmers have sheep in the fields adjacent to the track and one of the animals thought the ground was so lovely they wanted to be out there.

"I don't know how they got out because it's all fenced off quite tightly, but turf services and our own casual staff were very good and got it in eventually. It's one of these things, it's never happened before in my time here."

The bizarre incident, which resulted in a near six-minute delay, failed to knock champion jockey Brian Hughes off his stride as he made it four winners on the card on the Phil Kirby-trained Leopolds Rock. In the next race, Hughes completed a 40-1 five-timer on the appropriately named Who's The Guv'Nor.

On Wednesday, racing at Worcester was delayed when a swarm of bees was discovered on the wing of the first fence in the home straight. Two fences were omitted in the opening race and while the problem continued in the next, it was resolved for the third contest.

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