Williamson distraught after Mighty Zip loses race at Chelmsford

Trainer Lisa Williamson admitted on Friday she was "absolutely distraught" over the disqualification of Mighty Zip at Chelmsford the previous evening after the jockey weighed in 6lb lighter than he weighed out.

Mighty Zip finished a clear winner after being sent off 5-2 favourite for a 5f handicap in which he had 9st 6lb, from which apprentice Jordan Uys was taking off 7lb.

But the success was short-lived after an objection was lodged when the rider returned to the scales weighing 8st 7lb, having weighed out with 8st 13lb.

6.15 Chelmsford

The stewards found Williamson's representative had failed to put on the weight cloth so disqualified Mighty Zip, awarding first place and the £3,234 prize to Culloden and fining the trainer £1,500 for the error.

Williamson, who trains a string of 30 in Wrexham, said: "I wasn't there and have no idea how it happened. I'm absolutely distraught. No-one seems to know what happened. Somehow somewhere along the way the weight cloth has been put on the wrong horse. It's gut-wrenching when you're a small yard."

Williamson may consider challenging the fine but added: "Apparently that's standard. Whether I appeal or not I don't know. I will see what comes to light over the weekend. I think it's hard when it's a genuine mistake and I wasn't even there."

A number of bookmakers had already started paying out before the result of the race was amended, then later settled on the altered outcome.

Ladbrokes' head of racing PR Nicola McGeady said: "The original result was paid out before the weighed-in signal but was resettled with the correct amended result subsequently."