TRAINER Gordon Elliott has labelled the stewarding process in Ireland ‘inconsistent’ after a ‘barbaric’ decision denied his horse a win.
The Irish maestro was fuming after his Folcano finished second behind Brazos at Navan.
Elliott was adamant his 10-11 favourite ridden by Jack Kennedy should have been awarded the race in the stewards room after Brazos appeared to veer across the track.
But Brazos, an 11-2 shot ridden by Kevin Brouder, kept the race after a lengthy enquiry.
Elliott said afterwards: “I’m disappointed. I don’t think it was Jack’s finest ride either now to be honest.
“But just watching the re-run of it again and he [Brazos] goes right across the track and our horse got a bump and then beat a nose.
“I think the consistencies of these stewards’ enquiries is barbaric in Ireland at the moment.
“It’s disappointing for the owners, and it’s disappointing the horse didn’t win but he’ll have more days.
“I just feel I don’t know what you’d have to do to get a race? You don’t know what way it’s going to go at the moment.
“Do you literally have to put them out across the rails now to get a race? There’s no consistency.”
Quizzed on whether he may appeal the decision, Elliott said he would speak with the owners first, but thinks it’s unlikely.
He added: “I’ll speak to the owners, but I can probably take this one on the chin.”
TV pundit and former legendary rider Ruby Walsh also strongly criticised the decision.
He said: “Is there any other sport in the world, where the person fouled doesn’t get the free-kick? It beggars belief.”
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