Punters and bookmakers left in the dark after void London National confusion

Confusion reigned in Sandown's betting ring after the final race on Saturday's card with punters and bookmakers alike left in the dark as a lengthy stewards' inquiry played out.

While the initial announcement calling a stewards' inquiry was prompt, it took until 4.15pm – fully 40 minutes after the 3.35pm race time– for an announcement that the race had been voided, with those in the betting ring having been left to stand and suffer in the fading light.

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Under the rules, all bets were also voided with punters entitled to a refund on their stake providing they still had their betting ticket, leaving racegoers to comb the ground in search of their receipts.

"I had £100 on Step Back and threw my ticket on the ground three out," said Irishman Rory O'Brien. "I thought I'd lost and, with no ticket, the bookmaker has told me I've got to write in now. No one had any idea what was going on – there was no announcement."

Regular racegoer Bill Baines from Essex added: "I'd thrown my ticket and the only reason I found it was because it landed by the side of the bin. I thought it was amazing it took so long to announce – it took far too long and everyone has gone home. It's a mickey-take but at least I've got my money back."

Matt Lawrence, from London, was making a rare visit to the races and was left scratching his head. He said: "I'm not sure what happened. It's crazy and everyone was left scampering for [betting] tickets they'd thrown away.

"Half the bookies have shut down already and it's weird they didn't announce it sooner."

Bookmakers were also left to suffer, with money still being returned approaching 5pm in the dark.

"The biggest problem is there was no announcement to what was going on," said a spokesman for Esher Racing in the main ring.

"Being an experienced bookmaker I worked out what the problem was but they failed to give any sort of notification and when they did make an announcement you could hardly hear it.

Sandown staged its Tingle Creek card on SaturdayCredit: Edward Whitaker

"Punters were confused but there was no animosity and they accepted it. I've not seen all the details but from my personal viewpoint it didn't affect the result so let it stand."

A spokesman for TB Racing added: "Common sense didn't prevail. To not tell us what they're thinking is not fair. Technically, it should have been voided but if they'd made an announcement straight after the race it might have saved a lot of aggravation.

"Hopefully everyone who has left the track can get paid but it's difficult if they don't know who they've had their bet with and it's not fair."

Off course, Paddy Power and Betfair Sportsbook both decided to pay out on first-past-the-post Doing Fine while voiding all other selections on the race. BoyleSports and Unibet paid out on the first four home and refunded bets on all other selections in the race.

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