Punters benefit from odds-on deduction in Lingfield match

Backers of an odds-on winner at Lingfield on Saturday night enjoyed a generous settlement after a Rule 4 deduction left them much better off than if the market had been reformed.

What was due to be a three-runner novice race was reduced to a match when the Jamie Osborne-trained Harbour Master lost a right-fore shoe on the way to the start and was withdrawn, the trainer having specified before the race he should not run in such circumstances.

Harbour Master was 11-8 at the time of his withdrawal at 5.27pm, three minutes before the official off time of the race, which started at 5.31pm, with Rodaini 4-6 and outsider Mathioli 22-1.