PUNTERS raged at the “worst decision ever” that saw them robbed of a 66-1 winner after a “shocking” stewards enquiry at Uttoxeter.
Henry Hogarth’s Flic Ou Voyou and Dan Skelton’s 9-4 fave Get Up Mush were initially deemed to have dead-heated in a 2m4f handicap chase on Sunday.
It looked like jockey Danny McMenamin was going to get his big outsider up until he hit the last and lost both irons on the run-in.
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That meant the fast-finishing Harry Skelton was, apparently, briefly interfered with on the run-in as Flic Ou Voyou looked to veer slightly right.
However they crossed the line together with a dead-heat given as the official result – until a belated bing bong went for the stewards enquiry.
It was then deemed that, as a result of Flic Ou Voyou moving off a true line, Get Up Mush should be awarded the race.
The official report read: “An enquiry was held to consider the placings in this race after interference after the final fence, involving the joint winners Flic Ou Voyou, ridden by Danny McMenamin and Get Up Mush, ridden by Harry Skelton.
“The stewards considered that the interference had improved Flic Ou Voyou’s placing, as the gelding had made a mistake at the last fence, which resulted in McMenamin losing his irons and his mount edging right-handed into the path of Get Up Mush, which had to be switched around the eventual winner and briefly lost ground in doing so.
“The interference was found to be accidental as McMenamin was quick to correct his mount, having briefly become briefly unbalanced after losing his irons.”
Sky Sports Racing host Josh Apiafi did his best to explain the findings, although former jockey Paddy Brennan was among those casting doubt on the call.
He, along with many others, failed to see how the interference – if indeed there was any – was enough to overturn the original result.
Brennan wrote in response to a clip of the incident on X: “This is up there with the worst stewards enquiries ever.”
ITV Racing presenter Chris Hughes raged: “This could be possibly the worst identification of hinderance on the run-in I’ve ever seen since watching racing.
“Absolutely shambolic. Shock they gave it to the favourite over a longshot, stinks to me…”
While one punter said: “Shocking decision – worst I’ve seen in my 40-odd years betting. You should be ashamed.”
And former Grand National-winning jockey Brendan Powell posted: “Probably one of the worst decisions I have seen in a long time. Beggars belief.”
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