Tale of the tape Changes made to course after horses run out twice on day one
ATEMPORARY rail replaced the tape for the second day of Cheltenham’s Showcase meeting after two horses dramatically ran out in the closing stages on day one.
One For Billy and Oighear Dubh darted to their left in their respective races on Friday, prompting clerk of the course Simon Claisse to implement changes to prevent a repeat occurence.
He took action after reviewing what happened with the British Horseracing Authority.
Claisse said: “We made some changes in 2013 after the incident in the Foxhunter, we raised the height of the tape and we changed the alignment as they come off the bend there.
“That seemed to have worked pretty well but clearly after the two incidents yesterday we have got to take another look at this.
“We have decided to use a number of additional staff to actually put a fixed section of rail through where the tape goes.
He added while speaking to ITV Racing: “We want this environment to be safe for the horses and riders.
“With this plan though comes an additional risk for the staff who are working out there because they are in a live racing environment, there can be loose horses around.
Groundstaff have two minutes after the horses race around the bend to change the alignment, with additional rail, before the horses race up the final hill.
The matter will be reviewed with the BHA’S senior inspector of courses prior to the November Meeting in three weeks’ time.
On Friday, trainer Dan Skelton revealed he was ‘so mad’ after One For Billy ran through tape dolling off the rest of the course, when challenging for the lead in The Squareintheair.com Novices’ Chase.
Four races later he was the one benefiting in such bizarre circumstances, as Irish raider Oighear Dubh was three lengths clear when performing the same manoeuvre, gifting Skelton’s Sam Red with a chance of reeling in the idling Presenting Julio.
Amateur jockey William Marshall needed no second invitation to provide the trainer with his fastest century of winners and his partner was most willing to race home by three quarters of a length.
All horses and riders involved in the incidents were OK, but the track will need to be looked at before racing on Saturday, said clerk of the course Simon Claisse.
“It has been an unbelievable day,” said Skelton, whose brother Harry is second in the Stobart Jump Jockeys’ Championship.
“I was so mad earlier, I let myself down.
“What’s the kid done wrong there? (the rider of Oighear Dubh, Michael O’sullivan).
“He has done exactly the same as One For Billy.
“We set out out to have a great summer. It’s incredible really.
“We never thought it would be possible (to get the 100 winners in that time). Things like that (the incidents) happen. It’s just racing isn’t it, it’s just hard. That’s the way it goes.”
In 2013, teenager Jane Mangan was left heartbroken when her mount Oscar Delta ducked out in similar fashion when leading the CGA Foxhunter Chase Challenge Cup field.
A stewards’ enquiry was held after the first incident, but not the second.
Asked what could be done, Skelton said: “The tape is the wrong height.
“Our horse followed the rail. The jockeys are unfortunate pilots in these circumstances.
“I have spoken to Simon and he’s going to have a look at it.
“Something has to happen - two in one day is not a coincidence.
“It’s unfortunate it has happened at Cheltenham where everyone can see it.
“There’s no proper accidents because of it, everyone is safe and it will come right.”
Claisse said there had been only ‘two incidents in 30 years that were similar prior to Friday’s happenings.
Lil Rockerfeller (5/6f) lived up his star billing on the day although his race wasn’t without mishap either, as he survived several blunders to take the ‘Matchbook Time To Move Over’ Novices’ Chase, earning quotes of 20/1 with Paddy Power for the National Hunt Chase.
Thomas Darby looks a horse to follow after quickening smartly to take the Foundation Developments Ltd Maiden Hurdle, a race won by several smart types in the past.
His trainer Olly Murphy was recording his first Cheltenham success, as was Neil King (Lil Rockerfeller) and Dermot Mcloughlin, whose horse Canardier (6/4f) was given a very confident ride by Barry Geraghty to win the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle by two and a quarter lengths.
There was unfortunately a sad postscript to the opening race as Havana Beat took a fatal fall.