Family wins bizarre chase at Southwell

Memories of Foinavon`s Grand National in 1967 came flooding back as champion jockey Tony McCoy gained one of the most dramatic successes of his career when Family Business finished alone having been remounted in the Feast Of St Raymond Novices` Chase at Southwell today.

Foinavon went on to win the Aintree marathon having been left in front when most of the runners were hampered by a loose horse.

The Martin Pipe trained Family Business started 8-11 and there was a big groan from the stands as he made a mistake at the 10th fence and unseated McCoy.

But with Oh No Whiskey having fallen at the first fence the rest of the seven runners gradually departing and the race for all intents and purposes was over with no finishers when the last three remaining came to grief at the fourth last.

But McCoy is not champion for nothing and having heard the commentator relay the drama and realising Family Business, who had been caught by Pipe`s travelling head Bob Hodge after covering just acouple of furlongs, had clearly escaped unscathed he decided to remount him.

He trotted the gelding back to the fence where they had parted company, jumped that and then completed a full circuit of the course without mishap to claim the prize to a great cheer from grateful punters.

McCoy could hardly believe his luck and said with a smile: 'It is unbelievable, I have never had one finish alone without being remounted - they had gone too quick, but by the time they got tired I had fallen off!

'When I heard what was happening I said to Bob that I should get back on so we went back to the fence where I had fallen off and started again - I quickened up down the back because they said Rupert (Wakley, who had been unseated from Eaux De Coeurs four out, the horse having earlier fallen at the 12th) had remounted and I did not know if he was going to jump the remaining fences.'

He went on: 'I can`t believe it, it should have been only a matter of getting round on him and I fell off- but if someone offered me another winner like that I wouldn`t say no!'

Some bookmakers claimed that the race should have been made void, firstly because Family Business had jumped one fence twice and secondly feeling that the judge should have left his box by the time McCoy and Family Business passed the post.

However, stewards` secretary Phil Tuck said: 'We have spoken to London and they say that jumping a fence twice is not a reason for disqualification but it would be if he missed a fence out - a horse can be remounted and continue in the race as long as he goes back to where he departed.'

And as far as the judge was concerned Tuck added: 'The judge stays in his box until such time that he is sure no horse is going to finish so he was in order to stay there until Family Business finished the course.'