THERE was Bank Holiday drama at Ripon as the judges couldn’t split the front pair of the opening novice.
After a lengthy look at the photo finish, the judges announced a dead heat between Maybe Even Never and Sunday Justice.
For much of the straight it was Sunday Justice who was in control on the front-end.
But as the line neared Maybe Even Never and jockey Phil Dennis found one last push roared on by the capacity crowd.
It was enough to force a photo and in the end a joint-win for David Barron’s team.
It kept up the red-hot form of the Nigel Tinkler yard, too – fresh off a 65,000-1 four-timer across Saturday’s action.
Speaking afterwards Tinkler said: “I thought we’d definitely won until the last stride. The other had his head down and we had our head up, so I could tell it was very close.
“It was no surprise when the dead-heat was called and it was a good performance from both horses.
“He missed the break a bit and got there a bit sooner than the jockey would have liked, but he’s a nice horse and has done that well under a penalty.
“We’re just concentrating on what’s next. The last few days have been good but we’re flat out every day at the moment.”
The main dish of the day was won by a resurgent Flotus who set up a potential big-race target before the season is out with a comprehensive victory in the Two-Year-Old Trophy.
Simon and Ed Crisford’s youngster won handsomely under Silvestre De Sousa by close to five lengths and was trimmed into 8-1 for the Group 1 Cheveley Park at Newmarket.
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 SE. 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 chase their losses
- Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
- Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
- Gamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org
