Uttoxeter winner disqualified as conditional jockey takes wrong course in chaotic race

Wide-margin Uttoxeter winner Harry The Norseman was disqualified on Saturday night after conditional jockey Bradley Roberts took the wrong course in the 2m5f handicap chase.

Roberts' error came when bypassing the omitted third-last, going left of the C marker when runners were supposed to go right. Charlie Todd, the jockey of Eightytwo Team, unseated at that point in the race when running directly towards the marker.

The 100-30 second favourite Harry The Norseman followed the correct course for the remainder of the race, with the final two fences also missed out due to low sun, but the victory was taken away by the stewards and given to second-placed Do It For Thy Sen. He had finished 18 lengths behind the Charlie Longsdon-trained runner.

Roberts was suspended for 14 days for going the wrong side of the C marker.

'It's not the way you like to win'

Sam Twiston-Davies, aboard the promoted winner, empathised with conditional Roberts, who has ridden 14 winners in his three seasons in the saddle.

Twiston-Davies told Sky Sports Racing: "It's not the way you like to win. We're aware the fences were out and there was a C marker. Bradley was well clear of me and I was thinking it's not ideal for him but hopefully he'll be okay. It's just one of those things."

Of the low sun, he added: "It's in your face. We're in a low-grade handicap and he's come off the bridle, he's a young lad and his head's down and I was aware of what was going on with him. I was like, 'I need to go out and round'. It becomes scary because you worry you're going to get chinned for second and that's a predicament in itself.

"At the end of the day, it's a learning curve. I've made the same mistake, you learn and he'll be back I'm sure."

How the incident unfolded

Harry The Norseman and Bradley Roberts stuck to the inside when they should have gone right of the C marker, before which Eightytwo Team unseated his riderCredit: Sky Sports Racing

Harry The Norseman and Bradley Roberts go clear having taken the wrong courseCredit: Sky Sports Racing

The race was awarded to 3-1 favourite Do It For Thy Sen and Harry The Norseman's rider banned for 14 daysCredit: Sky Sports Racing

The in-running comment

Harry The Norseman

Prominent, pushed along from 5th, went second last (usual 5 out), led omitted 4 out, soon ridden, took wrong route omitted 2 out, went well clear omitted last, finished 1st, disqualified, took wrong course

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