'I was pissed off' - furious Berry to appeal against result in interference row

Trainer John Berry says he plans to appeal against the result of the 2m2f handicap after being angered at the failure to overturn the verdict in favour of his horse Dereham.

Wynford, ridden by Kevin Stott, finished a four-and-three-quarters-length winner over Dereham, but only after drifting markedly to the right in the home straight and coming across his rival, forcing Faye McManoman to briefly stop riding because of a lack of space inside the final 110 yards.

An inquiry was held only to consider the interference, not the placings, with Stott handed a three-day ban for careless riding, but confusion over a miscommunicated objection to the finish left Berry infuriated.

3.14 Pontefract: full result and race replay

The trainer stated McManoman had mistakenly raised her objection to the finish with Pontefract's social distancing officer rather than the clerk of the scales, which meant the objection was not officially received.

He explained: "It was a miscommunication. I'd normally go in and do it myself but we can't go in there at the moment because of the restrictions.

"Our jockey thought she was talking to the clerk of the scales but was actually talking to the social distancing officer when she objected and the clerk apparently didn't hear."

Berry added: "I wanted to see a steward straight away because I was pretty pissed off watching the race. The horses were neck and neck until Kevin pulled his stick to his left. He carried us all the way across to the stands' rail and our horse I thought was rallying. Faye would have gone through the rails if she hadn't pulled back.

"I feel it was intentional interference that cost us the race and I thought the inquiry was a formality."

The official BHA stewards' report stated: "An inquiry was held to consider interference inside the final half-furlong when the winner, Wynford, ridden by Kevin Stott interfered with Dereham, placed second, ridden by Faye McManoman.

"Stott was suspended for three days for careless riding as he had allowed his horse to drift right towards the rail without sufficient correction, causing McManoman to have to take a check."

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