Punters slam ‘amateurish’ mistake at Brighton with FOUR non-runners in field of six just 30 minutes before the off
PUNTERS slammed ‘amateurish’ racing chiefs after an administrative cock-up meant four horses were not allowed to run at Brighton.
The six-runner 1m4f handicap at 4.30 was reduced to a match race because four of the horses were not qualified to run.
Spirit Warning, Kondratiev Wave, Vitesse Du Son and Rivas Rob Roy were announced as non-runners in a BHA press release sent out just half an hour before the race was due to start.
The handicap was for horses rated between 46 and 65 but limited to horses who had not won more than two races.
The horses who were scratched had all won at least three times – including Rivas Rob Roy who had an incredible NINE wins to his name.
The error was not picked up until it was pointed out to the on-course stewards after the race meeting had started.
Most read in Horse Racing
Girl In The Picture and Roscioli were the two horses left to take part in a match race, with the latter winning at 3-1.
Punters were left baffled on social media as to how the mistake was not picked up when the horses were originally entered FIVE days ago.
One said: “Incredible incompetence that this has just been noticed.”
Another said: “The horses are not qualified as they have won more than two races. This should have been picked up a lot earlier.”
While another added: “What is going on? Absolute shambles.”
Shaun Parker, the top steward at the BHA, was on duty at Brighton on Friday.
He said: “We arrived on course and once the meeting had started concerns were raised to the stewards that four of the horses were not eligible to run.
“We had discussions with Weatherbys, the BHA’s racing department and ARC (owners of Brighton racecourse) and followed up with an inquiry with the trainers.
“We only had one option which was to take them out of the race.
“There has obviously been a glitch somewhere along the line which is very unfortunate.”
The BHA and Weatherbys issued a joint apology and said they would consider providing compensation for entry fees and transport cost for the affected horses.
FREE BETS GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE
Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. 18+. T&Cs apply. Begambleaware.org
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
- Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
- Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
- Never chases their losses
- Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
- Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
- Gamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org