GALWAY JOCKEY Rossa Ryan rode Rose Fandango to a stunning win in Wolverhampton on Monday night after nearly all other competitors were disqualified.
A chaotic false start disrupted the entire race as most of the runners went off without seeing the flag.
Crossing the finish line meant a disqualification for eight of the runners who failed to pull up their horses in time.
Oriental Spirit’s trainer Stuart Kittow decided not to take part while there was already an earlier non-runner, Captain Wentworth.
Only Rose Fandango and A Pint of Bear lined up again to take the field.
Rose Fandango prevailed at 25/1 but the mass withdrawal led to an 85p Rule 4 deduction being applied.
A stewards’ report read: “An inquiry was held to establish the circumstances which led to a false start being called in this race after the stalls had initially failed to open when the starter dropped his flag and pressed the button.
“Kimifive, Gordonstoun, Mudlahhim, Ravenglass, Swiss Rowe, Absolute Dream, Port Noir and Carry On Aitch were all withdrawn after having completed the course prior to being pulled up, whilst Stuart Kittow elected to withdraw his runner Oriental Spirit, which went keenly for several furlongs before being pulled up by its rider.
“This left A Pint Of Bear and Rose Fandango as the only runners after they had both passed veterinary examinations upon returning to the start, having been pulled up early in the back straight.
“The starters, the starting stalls team leader, the clerk of the course, the executive director, the advanced flag operator, trainee advance flag operator and all riders were interviewed and shown recordings.
“Having heard their evidence, the stewards ordered a report to be forwarded to the head office of the British Horseracing Authority.”
Fans were flabbergasted at the original race along with the hilarious commentary from Matt Chapman that begged the runners to stop.
One fan wrote: “Absolute shambles of a race it didn’t even look a false start in my humble opinion.
“But to be honest if it wasn’t declared a false start then we would not have witnessed a horse race commentary for the ages.”
Another commented: “The commentary makes it even better (laughing emoji).”
A third added: “We know if you cross the line you are declared to have finished so why did some and most cross line when they had control of the horse especially Mr Costello mount just walking to the line.
“Total shambles apart from two jock’s Mr Ryan & Mr Dennis who went back to the start.”