Lingfield stewards blasted for 'incompetence' after delay to inquiry result

The Lingfield stewards came under fire from punters and bookmakers after an inquiry that was assumed to concern the first two and lasted a good 20 minutes eventually concluded with revised placings for the fourth and fifth.

There were multiple incidents to look at after Magical Wish had beaten Attainment a nose in the 7f handicap, but the focus for punters was the first two.

The pair were separated by a nose after a ding-dong battle, which had begun with Magical Wish turning his head towards Attainment just inside the final furlong as if to bite him.

The longer the inquiry went on, the more Attainment's odds contracted, on course and on the exchanges, and when the klaxon was sounded to announce the result of the inquiry – as the horses were being loaded for the next race – the first significant words heard were "the placings are revised".

To universal bewilderment, the original first, second and third were then confirmed in the same order, because the only revision concerned fourth and fifth.

Bookmaker Barry Dennis said: "I'm disappointed with the incompetence of the stewards and lack of communication. So far as we were concerned it was a 25-minute inquiry into the first two, but then they call the same result and say the fourth and fifth are revised."

Betting ring manager Vicky Moore added: "A lot of bookmakers were hedging on the result – it was a bet they couldn't possibly win. The second was shortening and shortening and it was never going to get the race. People all over the country were betting on it."

Lingfield regular Gerry O'Gorman said: "I backed the Hannon horse [Magical Wish] and first of all I was pleased he'd won. When they announced the stewards inquiry it was obvious they'd got very close and it also looked as if Magical Wish had tried to bite the other horse, so I assumed it was into that.

"I had a saver on Attainment for insurance as the inquiry was going on so long, but by the time I placed the bet the stewards may well have already decided the first two were okay and had moved on to the other interference.

"At one stage Attainment was into 7-4 on Betfair, but by then I'm sure part of the inquiry will have been concluded. Why couldn't they announce the first two were okay but they were still looking at the minor placings?"

Explaining the delay, but admitting lessons could be learned, chief steward Sam Angell said: "We were looking into two different incidents. The first, everyone saw, but there was earlier interference between the third, fourth and fifth.

"We considered the placings of the first and second weren't affected, but that Shanghai Grace [fourth] switching in has cost Buckingham [fifth] a place, and there was not only prize-money involved but place betting down to fourth on Betfair.

"We were piecing together three bits of interference, all of which had a bearing on the result. I don't deny it was a long time, but as a stewarding panel we wanted to get it right. We've discussed it since in terms of lessons to be learned, but wanted to be sure our decision was right."

Cieren Fallon, who had won twice previously on Shanghai Grace, was stood down for eight days – two days for one incident, six days for another – but ended the afternoon on a brighter note with a 25-1 success in the 6f handicap on Pink Flamingo, who was making her debut for Michael Attwater.

Man in a hurry

Frankie Dettori was in a hurry to get away after the John Gosden-trained Investec Derby entry So High had landed odds of 1-10 in the concluding novice without impressing.

Dettori, whose only previous mount Velvet Morn got no run, said: "He was still green, as everyone could see."

THE BUZZ

Four to go

Marjorie Fife won five races with veteran Red Charmer when he was a new recruit last year, and she's got off to a great start with nine-year-old Clement, who was her first winner from new premises near Catterick and is due to run again at Chelmsford on the way home.

Countdown

Lingfield is counting down to Good Friday, its biggest day of the year. Sky Sports Racing was trying out its touch screen, and horses were paraded in the pre-parade ring in order to preserve the main ring, which was covered to promote grass growth.

Thought for the day
The stewards have to show more awareness of the betting public and not be so tied down by procedures. All it needed was an announcement when the first incident had been dealt with to the effect that "the stewards' inquiry is continuing but the first two are no longer involved." Simples.

Results, replays and analysis

Members can read the latest exclusive interviews, news analysis and comment available from 6pm daily on racingpost.com