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'One of those things': O'Brien unseats after losing irons with victory in sight

Tom O'Brien lays on the ground after being thrown from Special Acceptance on the run-in at Sandown
Tom O'Brien lays on the ground after being thrown from Special Acceptance on the run-in at SandownCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Tom O'Brien was left gutted after he was dramatically unseated on the run-in when coming with a race-winning charge aboard Special Acceptance at Sandown on Saturday.

O'Brien was mounting a strong challenge to the leader Go Whatever on the run-in after jumping the last – but there was a late sting in the tail of the 2m7½f Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle.


Watch Tom O'Brien's unfortunate unseat at Sandown


The fast-finishing Special Acceptance touched 1.88 in running on Betfair before the rider lost his balance and saw his left foot slip from his irons, leaving him stranded on the Sandown turf less than half a furlong from home.

Trainer Paul Webber was unfortunate not to have yet enjoyed a winner at the Tingle Creek meeting. He knocked on the door with two seconds at the Esher track on Friday and dismissed this latest incident as bad luck.

Go Whatever (red and white): battled Special Acceptance up the straight before Tom O'Brien unseated
Go Whatever (red and white): battled Special Acceptance up the straight before Tom O'Brien unseatedCredit: Alan Crowhurst

"The tack was all perfect and the saddle hadn't moved. His foot just slipped out of the iron and it's one of those things," said Webber.

"He lost his balance and is gutted about it – he's upset for everybody. We never expect it to happen but it can and we have to grin and bear it. We had two seconds here yesterday and now this but there's nothing we can do about it."

A frustrated O'Brien was reported none the worse for the fall but declined to comment.


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Racing Post Reporter

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