Tick tock: stewards need to hurry up and avoid these pointless delays
Cheltenham felt special again last Saturday. Paisley Park gave us a magic moment and the cheers for Imperial Alcazar, Chantry House and even runner-up Santini are a reminder of how jump racing's holy place needs its parishioners.
But there was one cheer which did not quite have the same feeling. It came after a thrilling finish to the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle, not as the winner hit the line but 15 minutes later when a lengthy stewards' inquiry finally resulted in a verdict. Confirmation of North Lodge's victory was met with a sarcastic roar.
Why the sarcasm? Why no sense of relief or drama? Because absolutely nobody had ever been in any doubt about the result.
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