PUNTERS saw thousands of pounds go up in flames on 1-100 good thing Roysse – after this unbelievable final-flight drama at Newbury.
The Ben Jones-ridden and Ben Pauling-trained gelding was sent off 4-9 fav for the 2m½f maiden hurdle.
And he looked to have the race totally in the bag when stretching 30 lengths clear approaching the last of eight hurdles.
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But when Jones asked him for one final effort the horse had other ideas and clattered through the jump.
More drama followed as Jones, who was flung to the floor, then got back to his feet while Roysse inconvenienced the other runners and almost caused a total disaster.
Much like the £2,000 that was lost when Willie Mullins’ 1-100 in-running Karoline Banbou got beat earlier this week, more money was lost at the lowest odds here.
Betfair reported some £1,479 being traded on Roysse at the lowest odds of 1.01 on their exchange.
Add that into everything that went on the horse at bigger odds during running plus everything put on him before the off and you’re looking at a massive punter loser.
Good news for the bookies at least… and for Jones, Pauling and the horse’s owners, ultimately, with all unhurt in the flashpoint.
But viewers were left totally dismayed by what they witnessed given the race looked done and dusted.
And there was disagreement on Jones’ ride.
One punter commented: “That was a savage ride by Ben jones. Unlucky fall but right thing to do send him into the last.”
While another wrote: “Ben Jones is at fault and so far clear, should have taken it easy when going into the final hurdle. Totally unacceptable.”
The race and its £5,446 first-place prize was eventually won Emma Lavelle’s 11-2 chance King Califet under Jonathan Burke.
But Nico de Boinville could have got closer on 7-2 runner-up Mistress Emma had he not been hampered by Roysse at the last.
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