Amateur riders' race descends into farce at Plumpton with three jockeys banned for seven days

An amateur jockeys’ contest at Plumpton descended into farce with four of the nine runners pulling up early in the race amidst some confusion.

A misunderstanding shortly after the start led to almost half of the field stopping to a halt early in the 2m4½f amateur jockeys' handicap hurdle won by Clear Storm and Adam Ryan. Three riders received seven-day bans for their actions.

Jockeys had raised concerns after the opening contest that the low sun was causing shadows on the three obstacles in the home straight, and it led to them being omitted for the amateurs' race.

A black and white chequered flag was raised and a whistle sounded as protocol to signal to ride with caution, but there was confusion among the jockeys, with many not willing to go on and looking around.

Four runners were pulled up, including the 7-2 favourite Sain Et Sauf, after a couple of furlongs, leaving just five runners to continue. Clear Storm won by 11 lengths, followed by Hidor De Bersy and It's A Breeze, ridden by Patrick Mullins.

Winning rider Ryan said: "When I saw the chequered flag and heard the whistle, I wasn’t sure what the rules were and I heard somebody shout, ‘Are we a false start or are we off?’ In the heat of the moment it puts doubts in your mind.

"I saw people pulling up and I didn’t know whether to pull up or not, but I saw the big screen and realised we were on."

Grand National-winning jockey Patrick Mullins, who was one of the first to go forward and continue racing, said: "I think because the hurdles were out and they were blowing the whistles and waving the flag there was a miscommunication."

When Mullins was asked whether he knew a chequered flag and a whistle meant to go round the obstacle, he responded: "It's not like that at home, but I thought the start was perfect. You could see the big screen and hear the commentary like it was going on as normal, and that's where the confusion came from."

Riders Daisy Warden, Tommie O'Brien and Harry O'Dwyer received a seven-day ban for the incident, while James King's explanation was accepted that Dreamweaver's saddle had slipped up his neck and he would not have been expected to continue.

The chief steward, Steve Drowne, told the Racing Post: "Out of the four riders who pulled up, three were found guilty: Tommie M O'Brien, Miss Daisy Warden and Mr Harry O'Dwyer. They all received seven days. 

"We accepted James King's explanation that he wanted to take a position behind the leaders as the race was steadying, but the saddle went up the neck and we wouldn’t have expected him to carry on in the position where his saddle was.

"The whistle is to alert that there is a flag out and there is something to be aware of; the riders need to check. The flag means there is a hazard ahead, which is black and white, and a stop flag is orange and yellow. When they weigh out, there are flags there with the explanation."

First win

Daniel Williams clocked his first victory under rules on the Nicky Henderson-trained Final Straw in the 3m1f handicap hurdle.

The 20-year-old made all on the youngster to win by seven and a half lengths on his eighth ride under rules.

"I can’t believe it," he said. "It feels good! I’ve been at Seven Barrows for two years now and have had great opportunities. I was riding all of last season pointing, and have just started under rules this season."

How it happened

All the runners leave the start in the amateur jockeys' handicap hurdleCredit: Sky Sports Racing

The runners go at a crawl early on, with riders unsure whether to continue with a chequered flag waved and whistle blownCredit: Sky Sports Racing

Two horses are pulled up and make their way back to the start, with another two runners shortly following suitCredit: Sky Sports Racing

Clear Storm eventually won in convincing fashion under Adam Ryan, and was one of just four finishersCredit: Sky Sports Racing

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