Massive Aintree controversy as 20-minute stewards’ enquiry results in ‘wrong decision’
AN amazing three-way photo finish sparked a controversial stewards’ enquiry on day one of the Aintree Grand National Festival.
And there was more drama at its conclusion with the first past the post keeping the race despite appearing to cause interference – with TV presenters blasting the ‘wrong decision’.
Impaire Et Passe was eventually named official winner of the Grade 1 William Hill Aintree Hurdle.
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But he appeared to clash with Langer Dan and Bob Olinger in the thrilling closing stages.
It went down to a dramatic photo finish with Cheltenham Festival winner Langer Dan splitting the two Irish horses.
Initially it looked like Bob Olinger, ridden by Rachael Blackmore, had got up on the line.
But the photo proved evens favourite Impaire Et Passe was in front by a nose.
That result was not confirmed for 20 minutes though as Blackmore passionately argued why her horse should have been named the winner in a tense stewards’ enquiry with Impaire Et Passe’s jockey Paul Townend and Langer Dan’s rider Harry Skelton.
Footage appeared to show the Willie Mullins-trained Impaire Et Passe veering across the final hurdle and coming together with Langer Dan.
That horse subsequently went sideways and appeared to interfere with Bob Olinger.
The official winning margin was a nose with the Dan Skelton-trained Langer Dan, who went off 18-1, a short-head further back.
Punters thought Bob Olinger, who was sent off 9-4, had been ‘robbed’ of victory having gone down by such a narrow margin.
One viewer wrote: “No financial interest, but that’s an awful decision. Hope connections of Bob Olinger and Langer Dan appeal.”
While another said: “Bob Olinger desperately unlucky there.”
And a fellow punter posted: “How on earth Bob Olinger hasn’t got that is a disgrace, hampered three times.”
Pundits on Racing TV were of the strong opinion that the ‘wrong decision’ had been called.
Respected presenter Nick Luck said: “We are unanimous that’s the wrong decision.”
But winning trainer Willie Mullins said: “When I looked at all of the different angles I thought the overhead angle looked very good.
“It was very revealing and that gave us a great chance.
“When Paul went past Harry after the last hurdle there was never any interference there, and I thought it was going to be very hard to disqualify us at that stage.
“There were pluses and minuses, but on the balance of it I thought it was a hard result to change.”
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