LEGENDARY jockey turned pundit Ruby Walsh has hit out at delays before racing at Cheltenham over the weekend.
The Irishman was fuming live on air as punters were left in the dark while officials decided whether to remove hurdles before the feature Greatwood.
'It's absolutely bizarre… Sometimes we really don't help ourselves as a sport.'
'Common sense seems to have gone out the window here.'@RichardHoiles and Ruby weigh in on the decision to close some of the hurdles just before the race.#ITVRacing | @CheltenhamRaces pic.twitter.com/W1kbL9s0PV
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) November 13, 2022
The start of the main race on Sunday was delayed for over five minutes with the runners circling around over and over.
Officials eventually made the call to remove three hurdles from the race because of the low sun.
Walsh labelled the situation ‘ridiculous’ live on ITV Racing.
He said: “Common sense seems to have gone out of the window here. To me this is ridiculous.”
High-profile commentator Richard Hoiles also criticised the delay as he attempted to keep viewers in the loop.
ITV was due off air after the race and any delay can prove costly with the broadcaster.
Hoiles said: “What has changed in the last five minutes?
“We’ve still got groundstaff by the last flight, which will surely have to be dolled off as well.
"Not been a great five minutes for National Hunt racing."
More confusion at the start of the Unibet Greatwood Handicap Hurdle
#ITVRacing | @CheltenhamRaces pic.twitter.com/jmM5we6AXt
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) November 13, 2022
“Everyone is standing around, the clock’s ticking. It’s absolutely bizarre.
“The right decision might well have been made but the sun has been out all afternoon.
“Surely this could have been done ten minutes ago? Sometimes we really do not help ourselves.”
Sun Racing columnist Matt Chapman also hit out at the farce.
