Worcester Result

THE COPYBET FOR PREMIER LEAGUE PROFIT BOOSTS OPEN NATIONAL HUNT FLAT RACE (CLASS 5) (Category 1 Elimination) (GBB RACE) Midnight Lexi (GB) ran freely to post.

Having been examined by the Veterinary Surgeon at the start, the filly was deemed fit to race.

An enquiry was held into the start of this race following COMPANY CHANGE unseating its rider Sam Twiston-Davies, and also to consider why the Advanced Flag Operator (AFO) appeared to briefly wave the recall flag before lowering it and walking away, despite there very clearly being no instruction from the Starter that a false start had been called.

The Stewards interviewed Sam Twiston-Davies the rider of Company Charge (GB), which unseated its rider, Sean Bowen the rider of Brave Lion (GB), placed second, Kielan Woods the rider of the winner Dark Tide Rising (IRE), Lewis Stones the rider of Roi Des Diamants (FR), unplaced, Freddie Keighley the rider of Secret Jet Away (IRE), placed fourth, Lee Edwards the rider of Ebarayna (GB), unplaced, Tristan Durrell the rider of Midnight Lexi (GB), placed third, James Best the rider of Mouth Watering (FR), unplaced, and Harry Cobden the rider of Queens Glance (GB), unplaced.

The two BHA Starters and the AFO were also interviewed and shown recordings of the incident.

Having heard their evidence, the Stewards were satisfied that a fair start had been effected, before COMPANY CHANGE veered violently left-handed after the starting tape released, resulting in Twiston-Davies being unseated.

After this had occurred Woods had sent Dark Tide Rising (IRE) forward to make the running but at the same time Ebarayna (GB), which was initially sitting in the slipstream of Dark Tide Rising (IRE) had baulked when reacting to the unseated horse and in jamming on had effectively interfered with the rest of the field to varying degrees, which greatly assisted Dark Tide Rising (IRE) in establishing a sizeable advantage through the early stages.

All riders with the exception of Lee Edwards explained that they were in little doubt as to whether or not they should continue in the race despite seeing the AFO briefly wave his flag, as they had a clear view of the senior starter for several seconds and he never gave any indication that he was raising his flag, nor was the whistle blown by the AFO.

Edwards explained that after his mount had surrendered several lengths of its own accord due to being spooked by the riderless horse, he chased Ebarayna (GB) along to get it into stride before briefly being unsure whether a false start had been called after seeing the AFO waving his flag.

He added that in the overall context of this race and given his beaten margin, it was unlikely that any period of indecision had materially affected his chances.

Therefore, the Stewards confirmed the result and ordered a report to be forwarded to the Head Office of the British Horseracing Authority.

Between the wings of the third last and second last hurdles, Ebarayna (GB), unplaced, hung quickly left- handed into the path of Roi Des Diamants (FR), unplaced, causing the rider to take a precautionary check.

After viewing a recording of the incident, it was found that no riding offence was involved.