Wrong Course Farce at Huntingdon

Huntingdon Racecourse, where several jockeys took the wrong course again today

Huntingdon racecourse again found itself at the centre of ‘wrong course’ controversy, as nine of the eleven starters in the Cromwell Stand Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle went the wrong way early in the race.

One of the nine realised his error and reverted, enabling his mount, Sovereign Spirit, to complete for third place prize money.

This is the second such incident in recent years, after jockeys also took the wrong course in March 2009 at the Cambridgeshire course. Today’s race saw the 5/2 favourite, Dancing Daffodil, awarded the race having only been the fifth horse past the post. Luckily for supporters of the ‘jolly’, the preceding quartet had all taken the wrong course.

Winning handler Robin Dickin commented: “They have jumped the first and you are supposed to keep left, but most of them have gone right down the chase course. Luckily my jockey had walked the course.”

It is likely that all of the jockeys who were disqualified for taking the wrong course will receive suspensions for their errors.

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