Jockeys face lengthy bans after Kempton farce
Apprentices Billy Cray, Paul Nolan and Ross Atkinson were all hit with double-figure bans for their part in a farcical opening race at Kempton.
With only four runners in the mile-and-a-half kempton.co.uk Apprentice Handicap, the field set off at a dawdle passing the post with a circuit to go before Josephine Bruning and Sol Rojo seized the initiative and quickly pulled 25 lengths clear.
The other three riders appeared unaware of the danger and did not start pushing their mounts until the home straight, but the hare had slipped the chasing pack and Sol Rojo (14-1) cantered in by 16 lengths.
The 11-10 favourite Outlandish managed second, with his rider Cray and Atkinson, aboard third-placed Turner’s Touch, both receiving 12-day suspensions (March 29, 31, April 1-5 and 7-11).
Nolan was last aboard Generous Lad but will only be out of action for 10 days as trainer Andy Haynes explained to the stewards the colt was not a straightforward ride.
Bruning, who is 23 and from the Netherlands, was riding her first winner but had her own embarrassment, as she continued for the best part of another circuit after the finish.
Lydia Pearce, wife of winning trainer Jeff, said: “I’ve never seen anything so extraordinary. I told Josephine to get out there and give it her best, but I didn’t expect her to completely demoralise them like that!”
Graham Thorner, former trainer and now assistant to the runner-up’s handler Andrew Turnell, reported: “We all make mistakes and that’s a big one. They all looked at four furlongs out that there was still a circuit to go.
“The lad said he thought she had been run away with. I told him ’you can give weight away but you can’t give away ground’.”
David Wilson, who saddled up Gary Moore’s Turner’s Touch, added: “I’ve never seen anything so ridiculous and I hope the stewards give the three of them a right roasting.”
Michael Wigham, who has just started a five-week suspension as a trainer for breaking the ’non-trier’ rule twice within 13 days, struck as an owner in the following race.
Wigham swiftly sent Straight Face to Vince Smith, who clung on to his lead in The Panoramic Bar & Restaurant Classified Stakes to prevail at 6-1 under Francis Norton.
“This is my new trainer and I’ll be sending him a few more,” quipped Wigham, who was fined a record £20,000 over the running and riding of Granakey earlier this year.
“I basically sent the end of my all-weather runners to Vince, among others, while I will be concentrating on getting my turf team together.
“The horse has been threatening to win and a little frustrating so far, but he’s got his head in front and I’m sure he can win again.”
