Beverley chaos for punters as two favourites act erratically and throw away victory

Followers of the market at a race meeting were left frustrated when two horses threw away victory in similar circumstances.

Urchin headed the betting for the three-runner Birch Flooring Novice Stakes over 1m 4f at Beverley, with Sam James in the saddle. But the 1-2 favourite played up before the start and unseated his jockey, before hanging left at the path after just two furlongs.

From an ideal position for the win, the gelding dropped to last and could not challenge Who’s Lope (2-1), a stablemate of Betfred Derby contender Item at Andrew Balding’s yard.

“It was unfortunate what happened to the other horse on the bend, but I think ours will have learned a lot from that and hopefully he’ll come on again,” said his wife and assistant trainer Anna Lisa Balding.

“He kept finding more and he’s run on to the line and so more exciting days ahead, I hope.”

Less than an hour later, Bradbury was 6-4 to reverse recent running with Vietnorm in the 1m 2f ICS Cleaning Services Handicap. And that result was on-course to happen, until Ed Bethell’s trainee flashed his tail when in front and hung markedly to his left.

Ryan Sexton tried to get him back on track, but old rival Vietnorm went past in the final strides.

The stewards report read: “Inside the final ½ a furlong Bradbury, placed second, hung quickly right-handed briefly inconveniencing the winner, Vietnorm. After viewing a recording of the incident, it was found that no riding offence was involved.

“Following the race, Ryan Sexton reported that Bradbury, placed second, hung both ways.”

View 2 Images

Rider Mikey Sheehy was celebrating just his second victory in Britain after moving from Ireland.

Only one favourite won on the card, Matteo (11-10f), his task made easier by the withdrawal of Arapaho Gold who got upset in the stalls.

The final race of seven, the Platinum Queen Play Live After Racing Handicap, was taken by 66-1 outsider Anficas Beauty.

“How can it always be favs that something goes wrong twice today and both favs, should have won easy and they just happen to run off a true line for no reason and lose the race Bradbury and Urchin,” one racing fan wrote on social media.

“No other horses today has this happened to, always the good horses, unreal.”

Article continues below

While another added: “Bradbury appears to be a bit of a naughty monkey.”