'It was dangerous' - apologetic Tom Marquand's riding irks Norwegian raiders

Friday: Thoroughbred Stakes, Goodwood

Friday's Bonhams Thoroughbred Stakes at Glorious Goodwood had a European feel to it as it was won by the German-trained Rocchigiani, but connections of Norwegian raider Hotline Bling had the most to say after the race.

Their challenger, an unheralded 50-1 chance, was rushed into an early lead by Manuel Martinez, who built up a big advantage on the three-year-old.

However, the pair began to weaken in the straight as Rocchigiani challenged under Tom Marquand, whose mount edged to his right, impeding the longtime leader and subsequent fifth.

He later apologised for the incident, but Hotline Bling's Brazilian trainer Raphael Freire and owner Hans Christian Valstad immediately objected to the result, which stewards did not alter.

In the stewards' inquiry, which was screened live on ITV, Marquand – banned for three days for careless riding – said: "Hotline Bling went five or six lengths clear early but I had him in my sights from the turn in and wanted to time my run. We got to the kink in the rail and I came to race up to him. I went to follow the rail round and didn't realise James [Doyle on The Wizard Of Eye, who was second] had squeezed up the gap on the inside.

"I was just following the racetrack round, which is what you do when there's no cutaway because you're not going to race in the middle of the track. Between me following the rail round and James going up the rail, it made a dead end for Hotline Bling and I apologise for that. Hotline Bling might have finished a length or so closer but in no way did it make the difference of the winning margin."

Tom Marquand with Rocchigiani's connectionsCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

Valstad, speaking before the inquiry, said: "It's not supposed to be like this. I'm not angry, but the result isn't right. He clearly lost some positions and could have been fourth.

"Back home, we'd protest this and he'd change positions, not becoming the winner, but increasing one place.

"I don't think they'll change it, but he ran well – really well. He's a front-runner and I know it's hard to be a front-runner here, so it's satisfying.

"Our jockey said he needed to pull him and he was out of his gallop. He said it was dangerous riding. Back home in Scandinavia this isn't the correct result. The winner is probably correct, but the result of the rest of the field is not right."

A son of Cotai Glory who used to be trained by Richard Hannon, Hotline Bling had an official rating of 92 and twice made the frame at the Dubai Carnival earlier in the year.

"To come from Norway and race on this beautiful track and be invited is a victory for us," Valstad, who has one other horse, added. "It's not spoiled the day. I think we're the first Norwegian horse to race here and it's an amazing experience.

"We got invited and two minutes after I called Raphael and I said, 'Just find a race, we'll go for it'. When you get an opportunity like this you need to take it.

"I know his handicap rating was quite low, but he has won five races back home and hasn't missed anything. We knew his handicap rating wasn't correct. He wouldn't have won, but he responds and continues with his gallop."

Classic-winning jockey Jason Weaver, now a respected pundit on ITV, felt Marquand was at fault and told viewers: "Tom was definitely angling in, I think he thought he was already clear as far as Hotline Bling was concerned and wanted to keep The Wizard Of Eye on a tight racing line. It looked worse from the head-on but not as bad from behind. He definitely caused contact."

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