Hugo Palmer seeking compensation after starter error leaves runner left behind

Newmarket trainer Hugo Palmer is expecting to be compensated after an error from the starter resulted in his runner Countessa being left behind at the start.

The three-year-old, owned by Isa Salman Al Khalifa, was the last of the 12 runners to be loaded for the 1m1½f novice stakes when the incident occurred.

Handlers were still in the process of loading the Luke Morris-ridden filly into her stall when the starter dropped his flag. Countessa was subsequently withdrawn from the race for betting purposes.

Referring to a similar incident which occurred at Newcastle in December, Palmer said: “It’s not the first time that this has happened. The same thing happened at Newcastle and I understand the owners of the horses that didn’t get a run there were compensated and I’m hoping that precedent will be followed.

Members can watch a replay of the incident

"There is a protocol for what goes on behind the stalls to prevent this happening and it seems that hasn’t been followed on this occasion.

"The starter was very polite and apologetic for making the mistake he made and it’s much harder to be angry when someone has said sorry.

How the incident unfolded

Countessa is reluctant to load as the last runner for the 2.15

She is nearly in the stalls as the rest of the field wait

But then backs away from the stalls

The starter then releases the field with Countessa left behind

"At the same time, if I make a mistake I get fined so I have every confidence that the BHA will compensate my owner for an expensive trip to Wolverhampton."

Palmer added: "I’m actually quite glad she never made it into the stalls because if she actually had been in and the starter let them go she’d have gone straight over the top of the poor handler that was leading her in. A nasty incident has been averted."

The race was won in striking fashion by the Mark Johnston-trained Sea The Shells, a son of Sea The Stars, and his rider Franny Norton spoke of his surprise at the starter’s instructions.

He told Sky Sports Racing: “I was a little bit confused because a few of the jockeys around me were shouting for a false start and I was looking around for the flag to be raised but nothing was."

Stewards confirmed the incident was down to human error and ordered a report to be forwarded to BHA head office.

The stewards' report said: "Having heard their evidence and viewed recordings of the incident the stewards found that, due to human error, the race had been started before Countessa had been loaded.

"The stewards retrospectively withdrew Countessa for betting purposes at 2.26 and ordered a report to be forwarded to the head office of the BHA for further consideration."

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