THERE are dramatic finishes and then there was this.
Cruising up to the final fence, stablemates Capeland and Diego Du Charmil had the Listed Chase (2.10) at Ascot between them.
But Diego Du Charmil (13-2) had other ideas and distracted by a loose horse lugged left alarmingly, taking Paul Nicholls’ Capeland and Bryony Frost with him.
Lorcan Williams on Diego Du Charmil somehow managed to jump the wing of the fence, but unlucky Capeland had no chance and was later disqualified.
From out with the washing Clondaw Castle and Champagne At Tara suddenly had a race on their hands, flying home to close down long-time leader Diego Du Charmil.
Williams just had enough horse left to hang on, before the inevitable ding-dong of a Stewards’ Enquiry was called.
Following a lengthy wait, Williams was the most relieved man in Berkshire after hearing he’d kept the race.
Williams said: “There was nothing I could do. The loose horse just distracted mine and we were taken left.
“I’m sure I actually jumped the full fence within the posts so I’d be surprised if they could take that away.
“Look we were so far clear coming up to the last and it’s only the loose horse that’s made mine go like that.”
