All 14 jockeys banned for ‘misconduct’ at start of shambolic Ascot race

ALL 14 jockeys were banned for ‘misconduct’ at the start of this shambolic Ascot race.

In what is believed to be unprecedented scenes, every single rider who lined up was suspended for one day by stewards.

The official reason given was that the jockeys ‘lined up before the starter’s flag was raised’.

The incident was not picked up by veteran commentator Mike Cattermole and it looked for all intents and purposes like the race started perfectly normally.

But the starter reported to stewards that the horses and jockeys were ready too early.

The official BHA report into last Saturday’s race read: “The Starter reported that the following jockeys lined up before the flag was raised: Tom O’Brien, the rider of Sporting John (IRE), Shane Quinlan, the rider of Farinet (FR), Nick Scholfield, the rider of Riders On The Storm (IRE), Lorcan Murtagh, the rider of Phoenix Way (IRE), Jonathan Burke, the rider of Revels Hill (IRE), Harry Cobden, the rider of Danny Kirwan (IRE), Miss Lucy Turner, the rider of Laskalin (FR), Stan Sheppard, the rider of Nocte Volatus, A. P. Heskin, the rider of The Wolf (FR), Caoilin Quinn, the rider of Dorking Lad, Mr James Turner, the rider of One True King (IRE), Jack Tudor, the rider of Cap Du Nord (FR), Aidan Coleman, the rider of Regal Encore (IRE), and Philip Armson, the rider of Neon Moon (IRE).

“Being a 7lb claiming amateur, Mr Turner was offered the opportunity to be accompanied but declined.

“The riders and the starters were interviewed, and recordings of the incident were shown.

“All Jockeys were suspended for one day for misconduct at the start.”

The race was won by 11-2 Cap Du Nord for Tudor and trainer Christian Williams.

They pocketed £56,950 with victory in the LK Bennett Swinley Handicap Chase run over 3m.

Neon Moon was a distant seven-length second having been sent off 10-1 while Revels Hill was third at 11-2.

The brilliant victory took ten-year-old Cap Du Nord’s career earnings to a massive £294,170.

Delighted owner Ian Marmion said: “It’s superb, he’s been an incredible horse.

“He’s run for us since he was five and he’s still showing up at the age of ten, and that was perhaps the easiest he’s ever won.

“Christian’s had a quiet season and we needed a good Saturday winner for him.

“We went close at Doncaster in the Sky Bet and we intended to go to Kempton for the Coral Trophy, but it looks like Frodon might run and we’d be out of the handicap.

“Christian said on Tuesday we should go at Ascot and just look how right he was.

“We’re not out of Kempton just yet, we’ll pick up a little penalty and if all is well and good we might just try to rattle them on Saturday as well.”

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