Matt Sheppard 'absolutely gobsmacked' as Baliyad lands dramatic Stratford race

Saturday: Stratford

Trainer Matt Sheppard was left pleasantly surprised as Baliyad landed the 2m2½f selling handicap, but drama after the race made the winner unavailable for auction.

Baliyad was forced to jump a hurdle after the winning line when the rider of third-placed Stigwood, Tom Buckley, lost his reins.

As a result Ned Fox, on Baliyad, was unable to negotiate the seven-year-old around the flight, was unseated and brought down his mount.

"Tom Buckley lost his reins on Stigwood and had no control," said Sheppard. "Baliyad was then forced to jump the hurdle and he didn’t clear it well. He’s absolutely fine, as is Ned, but the horse wasn’t offered for auction."

The race had plenty of talking points, with Rock The House unseating Gearoid Harney at the start and Tarseem being withdrawn after breaking through the rail when being led in, but Sheppard was thrilled to see the Aga Khan homebred secure a maiden career win at 12-1.

"I was absolutely gobsmacked! I knew he had some ability, but I wasn’t expecting that. It was a terrible race, but I was chuffed and he might win again," said the trainer.

"If you get any horse off the Aga Khan, the chances are they’ve got a bit of breeding and a bit of class.

"We only have nine in the yard at the moment and all we want to do is to stay in business and train a few winners. That’s about as good as it gets really."

Striking gold

Turpin Gold got off the mark at the eighth time of asking with a comfortable victory in the 2m½f novice hurdle.

The Robert Stephens-trained six-year-old made light work of his four other rivals, finishing six lengths clear of Kanukankan in second.

Results, replays and analysis

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