Chaotic finish sees one crash through wing, another unseat and an 80-1 winner
There was an extraordinary finish to the 2m2½f maiden hurdle at Newton Abbot when one jockey was thrown through the wings and another unseated to allow 80-1 outsider Holerday Ridge to snatch victory.
The drama began when Kevin Brogan, rider of 4-1 shot San Giovanni, jostled for room with Brendan Powell on Extraordinary Man on the approach to the second last.
San Giovanni, denied space, was forced sharply left by Powell’s mount and hurled Brogan through the wings of the hurdle.
In the chaos 100-30 chance Extraordinary Man unseated Brendan Powell to leave the 11-10 favourite, Light Em Up Nigel, in front of the chasing pack – but with two loose horses to worry about.
Relive the chaos in the 2.49 at Newton Abbot
Harry Cobden had to snatch up the six-year-old as San Giovanni ran right across his path, allowing the chasing pack extra time to close in.
The Nicky Martin-trained runner was joined by 80-1 outsider Holerday Ridge jumping the last, and the Claire Hitch-trained performer stayed on strongly to score under William Kennedy.
The seven-year-old, who had previously won a bumper at the course, was unfancied by many punters following his previous two attempts over hurdles which resulted in non-completions.
Brogan was able to walk away from the incident unharmed, along with Powell.
Powell was suspended for 14 days by the stewards following the incident for improper riding.
The report said: “After realising that Brogan was improving his position to his inside, he continued to ride a overly competitive line, causing interference when it ought to have been obvious that by riding that line interference would result.”
How the drama unfolded . . .
Nicholls eyes quick follow-up
Paul Nicholls is targeting a £100,000 prize at Sandown next Saturday for his Grade 2 winner Knappers Hill after his comfortable victory in the opening 2m1f novice hurdle.
The six-year-old, watched on by his co-owner Paul Barber, obliged at 4-9 under Harry Cobden with ground to blame for a poor showing as favourite last time out in a Grade 3 novice handicap hurdle at Sandown.
“He’s still a work in progress,” said Nicholls, who is long odds-on to be crowned champion trainer again next weekend.
“I said to Harry he’s not unlike Old Guard [Grade 2-winning hurdler for Nicholls]. The first year we had him was a little bit like him, hit and miss. He had that summer out, then next year started off at Cheltenham, won the Greatwood and ended up winning an International. He was progressive.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if next autumn Knappers Hill progressed again, but he’s desperate for another summer. At the moment the plan is to go to Sandown next Saturday. There is a £100,000 novice handicap hurdle, so if the ground stays quick he’ll go there.”
Nicholls’ performer was unbeaten in bumpers, culminating in a Grade 2 victory at Aintree, before taking two good ground novice hurdles, but found life tougher in classier company subsequently, with his inexperience to blame according the the trainer.
“Harry said that’s probably the best he’s jumped,” he added. “When he ran in the Betfair Hurdle he actually jumped quite nicely. He’s just been slow to learn, he’s still a young horse and he’ll keep improving.”
