03 June 2023 , 17:41
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Punters cried foul after four fancied horses, including the favourite, were inconvenienced when their stalls failed to open at the same time as the rest of the field on Derby day at Epsom on Saturday.
Live In The Moment was backed into 6-1 favourite for the £100,000 Aston Martin Dash on the basis of an historically advantageous draw against the stands rail in stall 20 of the 20 runner field for the £100,000 Aston Martin Dash.
But he was unable to get away on equal terms when the door of his stalls opened fractionally after most of the rest of the field were despatched for the 5f sprint.
Three other horses on his inside, Vintage Clarets, drawn 19, Lihou (18) and Ancient Times (16), who were also well backed, were also victims of the same stalls fault. The first three finishers were drawn five, seven and two.
The incident was reviewed on ITV Racing with commentator Richard Hoiles using a freeze-frame to explain what had happened and what stewards were examining at the subsequent inquiry.
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"There appear to be at least four horses inconvenienced and basically after a furlong it becomes apparent that those on the right hand side are clearly ahead of those on the left and they never get into it," he said.
"The right hand bank [of stalls] are completely opened, but stalls and 16, 18, 19 and 20 aren't open at all. "
He added: "The horses on the left hand side are materially behind....amongst the backmarkers."
Some punters expected the race to be declared void. "Surely a void race for the dash in Epsom had no bet in it but Jaysus if u did Ud be sick."
Another, who tagged his bookmaker, said: "Will my bet on Ancient Times be refunded? Stall clearly last to open."
An even angrier post said: "Absolutely f***ing disgraceful that the race hasn't been voided for the Epsom dash. If the utterly useless stewards aren't going to do anything then the bookmakers should.
"It isn't like you wouldn't have made enough today anyway. Disgrace."
The incident was reviewed by stewards who took no action.
They received assurances from the starter that the stalls had been tested before the race as normal and worked correctly.
They also noted that Alligator Alley in stall 14 and Angle Lad, 17, had anticipated the start and broken open the gates but ruled he had gained no advantage.
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"The Stewards further noted that stalls 16, 18, 19 and 20 had opened fractionally slower than the balance of the field and having reviewed recordings of the start in normal speed, were of the view that none of those runners’ chances were materially impacted, and they therefore took no further action. "