Taunton Drama

Bluetonic

Was watching this today, the side on looked liked the jockey threw himself off, no doubt though with the heads on. Awful change of movement from the horse.

Despair for Davies and layers at Taunton
By Racingpost.com staff3.58PM 15 JAN 2009

JAMES DAVIES suffered an embarrassing moment in the saddle at Taunton on Thursday as the jockey fell off the Neil Mulholland-trained Topless close to the line, leaving Pangbourne - matched at 999-1 on the exchanges - to win the 3m3fhandicap chase.

The pair, both 9-2 shots, were involved in a prolonged battle up the home straight and the race looked to be over as Topless and Davies scaled the final flight with a clear advantage.

With Pangbourne, the 2006 Aintree Champion Bumper winner, making little impression on the leader on the run-in, Topless appeared to be slightly spooked by the cross-section and veered right moments before Davies came out the left side door and hit the deck.

A dejected Davies said: "She was going away to the left, towards the paddock so I pulled my stick through to give her a smack on the left side and she has then gone the other way, causing me to lose my balance.

"It's terrible bad luck and I'm gutted for Neil Mulholland and all the staff. I ride regularly for Neil and it would have been my first winner for him. I was just trying to keep her straight as she was getting exhausted in that ground. I think twice before she's come back riderless after meeting interference, and she deserved a change of luck today."

The bad luck extended beyond connections as Topless' failure to land the spoils cost the six remaining lines in the Totesuper7. Two of the lines belonged to large syndicates who were in line to recieve £194,126 each.

George Primarolo, spokesman for Totesport said: "Racing can be a cruel game sometimes and punters across the country will be sympathising with the holders of the two tickets on Topless."

However seven Betfair punters were left celebrating James Davies' misfortune as they matched Pangbourne at 999-1. The majority of the winnings went toone customer, who staked £111, netting a cool £111,677.07.

Paddy Power and Boylesports offered an olive branch to punters by offering to pay out on both Topless and the winner.

Has to be a clear case of coverage a few seconds ahead of the layer. Why else would you take so much of the £111 on offer when Topless was 8ish lengths ahead at the time, with maybe 5 lengths to the finish line.

cson

Had Jack Doyles mount Pangbourne backed in the race and was about to walk out of the shop when I saw the Jockey fall off about 50yards from the line, couldn't believe it. It was sorta incredible really because it didn't look like the horse moved much, certainly not enough to cause the theatrical fall imo. Of course it'll all be looked into!

As for the £111 punds matched, there must be a lot of Betfair layers with fairly large wedges in their accounts :eek:

corny

I didn't see the head on but I assume there's nothing untoward with the ride because surely you could choose a better time to jump off the horse then 50 yards from the winning line. Powers returned your stake if you backed Topless. Nice of them!

Bluetonic

The heads on shows it was very difficult to stay on the horse. Feel bad for the jockey.

corny wrote: »

Powers returned your stake if you backed Topless. Nice of them!

They actually paid out on it as a winner.

Clothes, But No Cigar

Evil bookies would have been rubbing their hands with glee when Topless unseated her rider close to the line in the 3.50 at Taunton. Not Paddy Power. We've paid out on the 9/2 joint 2nd favourite as a winner. It could cost you to bet anywhere else. No gimmicks, just real value. This applies to singles and multiples and all markets except for Tote bets. There is no stake limit.

Quazzie

Can anyone tell me where there is a video of this on the net?

Bluetonic

Quazzie2002 wrote: »

Can anyone tell me where there is a video of this on the net?

Attheraces.co.uk

You need to register (for free).

Well worth it as both At The Races and Racing UK have all races up on their website 5 minutes after the race has finished.

BangBeater

corny wrote: »

I didn't see the head on but I assume there's nothing untoward with the ride because surely you could choose a better time to jump off the horse then 50 yards from the winning line. Powers returned your stake if you backed Topless. Nice of them!

Yeah, if it wasn't within touching distance of the post... then, it would be very very suspect... but still wow, how the feic did that happen?!! Didn't catch the head on, just the side! :eek: :eek:

dotsflan

saw the head on yesterday, jockey never really had a chance!!

aya14

dotsflan wrote: »

saw the head on yesterday, jockey never really had a chance!!

Yeah don't think you could blame the jockey in that spot