THE Chepstow crowd jeered as Thursday’s Racing League got off to a baaaaaaaaad start – when sheep invaded the track.
And matters were made worse when the unlucky racecourse workers sent to deal with the incident were branded ‘absolutely clueless’ by ITV Racing host Luke Harvey.
The first race on last night’s card was delayed 12 minutes after a number of sheep made their way onto the Chepstow straight.
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Around four people working at the Welsh racecourse ran up to near the start to try to convince the stubborn sheep to move back to their field.
But ewe you could see early on that they lacked the necessary expertise – and could have done with having a sheepdog.
As horses strolled up to the starting gates, the sheep went from one side of the track to the other.
After several minutes it looked like they were going to squeeze through the gap in the fence to make it back to their home.
But instead they turned round and ran back down the track – as jeers rang out from the betting ring.
Eventually they were cleared, with the opening 5.30pm race – won by 10-1 Great Acclaim for Matt Chapman’s Team London and the South – going off at 5.42pm.
Punters watching the action at home were in stitches.
One said: “Ewe have to laugh.”
While another wrote: “The best thing to be shown on ITV racing for a very very long time.”
Former Love Island star Chris Hughes’ Team East remain at the top of the Racing League leaderboard after the third week of action.
But a Saffie Osborne treble helped Wales and the West to reduce the advantage to just 7.5 points in their ‘home’ fixture.
Hughes said: “Damage limitation – that is the term we have been using on the WhatsApp group all week. And in fairness, I think we have.
“We have kept ourselves in it and that was the plan tonight. Windsor, Newcastle and Southwell, we will be strong.
“They are accessible tracks for us and we have a few horses lined up already. It will be all systems go again.”
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