CONTROVERSY marred the opening race of Day Two at Ascot with The Ridler springing a 50-1 shock.
Paul Hanagan’s mount crossed the entire field in the final couple of furlongs sending the result to the stewards’ room.
The Ridler, in red, was on the far right of the field entering the final furlong
Paul Hanagan’s mount then crossed over to the left
The stewards decided that the interference did NOT affect the result
50/1 shock in the opener! The Ridler wins the Norfolk for @RichardFahey and Paul Hanagan at Royal @Ascot!@BreedersCup #WinAndYoureIN pic.twitter.com/Juh6YLF1Ip
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 16, 2022
But the result stood, with the officials satisfied that interference had NOT improved the placing of the winner.
Second-place and favourite Walbank and third Crispy Cat seemed particularly affected.
Michael O’Callaghan, trainer of Crispy Cat, said that his horse would have won but for the interference.
And ITV host Ed Chamberlin said that rival trainers at Royal Ascot were “desperately upset” with outcome.
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Racing pundit Kevin Blake was fuming, saying: “He has just committed a professional foul and there are no consequences to winning the race.
“Is that correct, is that right?”
Co-host and former jockey Freddie Tylicki agreed, adding: “He’s a dual champion jockey, he knows the time of the day out there.
“Stewards here today have to set an example of this. Riding like that shouldn’t be happening.
“You know what’s going on, you know your mount underneath you and you have got to keep straight.”
Racing fans were just as angry on social media too.
Lee Butterworth described the result being allowed to stand as “just b******s”.
Anthony Bulmer accused jockey Hanagan of “not even holding the reins”.
Others described the actions as “dangerous” and that the ultimate decision was an “absolute joke”.
