Jockey rides finish circuit too soon at Fakenham before rallying to take third

Lucy Wadham's Iconic Sky ran an almighty race to finish third in the 2m4f handicap hurdle at Fakenham on Saturday after her jockey Maxime Tissier, who was subsequently banned for 14 days, rode a finish a circuit too soon.

The five-year-old grey was sent off at 11-2 after finishing second at Plumpton last time and 27-year-old Tissier asked the mare for maximum effort passing the winning post for the first time.

The promising 5lb claimer, who had ridden two winners from four previous rides at Fakenham this season and eight winners in total, expressed his delight by punching the air crossing the line, but quickly rousted the mare back into contention after realising his error.

Tissier and Iconic Sky managed to recover and finish third, despite giving up many lengths by going too soonCredit: Picture Courtesy Of At The Races

To Iconic Sky's credit she stayed on gamely to finish a remarkable third behind 2-1 favourite Le Breuil, beaten just five lengths.

This is not the first time a jockey has got into trouble at Fakenham, with Gold Cup-winning rider Sam Thomas receiving a 17-day ban in May 2008 after suffering “a lapse of concentration” on odds-on favourite Oumeyade.

Watch: Iconic Sky runs a remarkable race to finish third at Fakenham after going for home a circuit early

Clerk of the course David Hunter explained how the course had reacted to a string of mishaps, stating: "There's not a lot we can do as a racecourse. It was just human error and very disappointing, especially as the owner is a local man.

"We put barriers across the final ditch on the chase course, which has addressed this on that course, but it's up to the individuals."

This story is being updated and more news will follow shortly. Please refresh for the fullest version