The unfortunate 'oversight' that led to David Elsworth's most controversial win

It remains one of the most controversial victories in British jump racing – one that saw the winner booed back into the winner's enclosure and connections called up in front of the Jockey Club at Portman Square.

In 1988 David Elsworth, at the peak of his powers and shortly to become champion trainer, had the mighty Desert Orchid and subsequent Grand National winner Rhyme 'N' Reason in the Racing Post Chase. Desert Orchid was at the top of the weights, keeping Rhyme 'N' Reason down to an ideal racing weight of 10st 11lb and some of their opponents out of the handicap.

There was just one problem. Desert Orchid wasn't an intended runner and had even run at Wincanton on Thursday that week, meaning that come Friday's declaration stage – when back then runners weren't declared but non-runners had to be scratched – Rhyme 'N' Reason was about to become topweight.

One of the great raconteurs of the sport, Elsworth takes up the story in a major interview in Sunday's Racing Post in which he discusses some of the most remarkable tales of a remarkable career.

"We never intended to run Desert Orchid," he said. "His target had always been the Jim Ford at Wincanton two days before the Racing Post Chase but, funnily enough, on the Friday morning someone in the office mentioned that Desert Orchid was compressing the Kempton weights, keeping Rhyme 'N' Reason's weight down.

Desert Orchid: the legendary chaser was never an intended runner at Kempton for the Racing Post Chase

"Basically, we forgot to take him out. I was in the car on Friday when a journalist rang me and asked about Desert Orchid being left in the Racing Post Chase. 'What do you mean he's been left in? Oh, no, what a balls-up,' I replied. When I got to the races on the Friday the stewards had me in and told me it would have to be referred to Portman Square.

"Well, whoosh, Rhyme 'N' Reason pissed up on the Saturday and then won the National."

While plenty of punters toasted the success – Rhyme 'N' Reason was sent off the 7-2 favourite – others booed him back into the winner's enclosure at Kempton, while Elsworth had to defend himself at a Jockey Club hearing on the Monday before the Cheltenham Festival.

A racing legend retires: David Elsworth calls time on remarkable training career

He continued: "I went to Portman Square, cap in hand, head bowed and said it was an oversight. 'Of course we believe you, Mr Elsworth,' they said and gave me a fine, after which it was all sorted."

After a pause, Elsworth added: "You know what. To this day I've had trouble convincing people it was an oversight."

Read more from David Elsworth in the Big Read, available online for Members' Club Ultimate subscribers from 6pm on Saturday or in Sunday's Racing Post newspaper. Click here to sign up.

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