Wincanton Void Race With No Finishers The ten runner Bathwick Tyres Lord Stalbridge Memorial Cup Handicap Chase at Wincanton on Monday was declared void after none of the horses completed the course. Following the early exit of Beer Googles at the second fence there were still nine horses in contention approaching the sixth fence but in a Fionavon style melee only one horse, Hollow Blue Sky, managed to negotiate the obstacle with its rider intact. Hollow Blue Sky continued with only loose horses for company until coming to the same section of the course on the following section. As he bypassed the omitted fence he attempted to pull himself up. His rider coaxed him to get going again but the reluctant 9-Y-O had had enough and refused at the next fence. As there were no finishers in the contest the stewards deemed the race void. Low lying sun may have been a contributory factor in both the melee and the refusal of Hollow Blue Sky. Sadly two horses were killed in the melee on the first circuit. All riders escaped with nothing more than cuts and bruises. Below is footage of Hollow Blue Sky refusing to jump a fence. Foinavon-style pile-up forces void race at Wincanton >>> https://t.co/hJaFY47RAn pic.twitter.com/eJe6QIlxSL— Racing UK (@Racing_UK) December 26, 2016
