Wacky races: four wide of the wing and a refusal in French farce

The very first race of a new season at Saumur on Sunday should have been cause for celebration.

However, several of the seven jockeys lining up for the Prix Lieutenant Hoen could arguably have done with studying the course map a little harder before the tape dropped on what would prove to be a chaotic race.

After an incident-free opening to proceedings, the first sign of trouble came as the field ran back towards the stands. The leader, Alkaprun, cocked his jaw and ran out at the hurdle in the dip, taking the second-placed D'Gentle Reflexion with him. They were followed by three of the five horses in behind, who elected to follow the two runaways in skirting around the obstacle.

With five runners scattered across the countryside, Egirl and Diamant Brut were left with the race apparently to themselves. The pair headed away on the final circuit of the 2m4f contest, only for four of the jockeys to have gone off course to begin retracing their steps in an effort to rejoin the race.

This was spotted by the eagle-eyed course commentator, whose job was not aided by the copse of tall trees that obscure much of the back straight at Saumur.

More drama was to follow. Heading to the final turn, Diamant Brut appeared to be presented victory when Egirl carried jockey Teddy Vabois the wrong side of the running rail.

Yet approaching the next fence the leader refused, firing Bryan Moreaux out of the saddle and giving Egirl and Vabois the opportunity to retake the right course in splendid isolation.

The original trouble-maker, Alkaprun, got the better of a terrific three-way battle for second, crossing the line nearly a minute and a half behind the winner.

Fans of such chaos will recall a farcical race at Castera Verduzan in 2014, where horses ended up running across an intersection in opposite directions.

Sunday's events were apparently not the first time Saumur has been the host for such bizarre scenes. Former jockey, now trainer and bloodstock agent, Richard Hobson tweeted: "No wonder I got a ban around here one day 20 years ago. They are still taking the wrong course now!"

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