'That is shambolic' - Ruby Walsh slams Naas starter after chaotic scenes

There was disbelief at Naas on Sunday after starter Derek Cullen allowed the field for the 1m7½f handicap hurdle to set off despite one horse whipping round and unseating his rider and badly interfering with two other horses before the tapes went up – with Ruby Walsh labelling the incident "shambolic".

The episode, which has been referred to the IHRB by raceday stewards, came after there had already been a lengthy hold-up due to Melly And Me rearing and unseating Sean Flanagan before running loose and defying numerous attempts to catch him.

Then, just as the starter began the process of dispatching them some 18 minutes after the official off time, 17-2 shot Shakeytry whipped round and unseated Philip Enright, badly hampering Sean Says (28-1) and Aarons Day (9-1) before the tape went up, with only Aarons Day setting off some 30 lengths or so behind the rest of the field. In spite of this, the starter decided not to recall the runners.

Connections of Aarons Day could feel particularly aggrieved as he ran a remarkable race in the circumstances to finish second, just over four lengths behind winner Capilano Bridge.

Watch back the controversial start

Walsh, working as a pundit on Racing TV, said: “The tape was the all-important thing. Has the tape gone up or not? No, it's not. That should have been a false start, absolutely no doubt. There is no way on earth Derek Cullen can start that race. If the tape had gone up, I could understand why he did, but it hadn't. That's a false start. That is shambolic.

“If you've backed those horses I apologise to you. There has to be serious questions asked about the start of that race.”

Oliver McKieran, trainer of Aarons Day, said: “That was an awful set-up. The horses were down at the start for what seemed like half an hour and to let them off like that is beyond belief."

Liam McKenna, rider of Aarons Day, added: “It was terrible – it should have been a false start.”

Naas fiasco: Shakeytry (left) and Sean Says canter back after the controversial startCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Kevin Brouder, the rider of Sean Says, said: “We were down there for ten minutes, and when it came to the start we were standing on the outside and there was a roar, it caused Philip Enright's horse to go to the right and we were done. It is what it is, it's part of racing. I just feel bad for the owners and maybe their entry fee should be given back.”

Gordon Elliott rails against 'barbaric' decision as controversial result stands

The farce ended a week in which IHRB officials and raceday stewards attracted scrutiny over their decision-making, beginning with a ragged start to a race at Punchestown the previous Sunday, followed by the highly contentious decision to allow the result of a maiden hurdle at Navan on Friday to stand despite the runner-up, beaten a nose, receiving sustained interference.

IHRB chief executive Denis Egan was in attendance at Naas on Sunday, but he offered no comment on the matter in light of its referral.

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