‘At least give him a chance!’ – ITV Racing host Oli Bell calls out Derek Fox’s ride on Ahoy Senor at Aintree

ITV Racing host Oli Bell was praised by punters for questioning Derek Fox’s ride on Ahoy Senor in the Old Roan Chase.

Lucinda Russell’s Ahoy Senor was a fast-finishing third in the big Aintree contest won by 3-1 Minella Drama.

ITV host Oli Bell, left, grilled ex-jockey Tom Scudamore, centre, over the ride given to Ahoy Senor at Aintree

Ahoy Senor was a fast-finishing third, but some felt he could have won the race

Ahoy Senor, a multiple Grade 1 winner, finished like a train in the 2m4f chase having been sent off 11-2 for Sunday’s feature.

Some punters thought Grand National-winning rider Fox could have asked his horse for more effort sooner, perhaps pushing the winner closer.

Bell picked up on some of those gripes in a fascinating interview with ex-jockey Tom Scudamore, son of Russell’s partner Peter.

The tele frontman asked Scudamore if, as a punter, he would have been satisfied with the ride given to Ahoy Senor.

Scudamore explained that whenever a horse finishes strongly there will always be some who think they should have got to the front sooner.

But he added that Ahoy Senor has a dodgy history on his first run of the season and that the main aim this time was to get him to complete the course.

Scudamore said: “Has he (Fox) put him in a position where he could ever win from? Not really.

“But you have to balance that out with the fact this is a horse who doesn’t always finish his race.

“So he’s probably thinking in the back of his mind do I stick or do I twist?

“Would I rather he finish his race, or if I kick for home now will he gallop to the line?

“That’s what he had to balance out and perhaps in hindsight he got it wrong.”

To which Bell replied: “You’re saying about him finishing his racing and in the past he hasn’t… but I think when punters watch that, at least give him a chance to finish his race!

“When the other jockeys are getting low in the saddle and asking thier mounts to win Derek seemed to be quite patient.

“I think punters’ frustration comes, given how he finished, that he wasn’t asked a question sooner.

“Do you see that side of the argument?”

Scudamore replied: “Absolutely. But sometimes when you’re riding a horse, just because youre pushing, doesn’t mean they’re going to go faster.”

BHA stewards held an enquiry into the ride.

The closing part of their report read: “The rider further stated that in his opinion, he had obtained the best possible position in the circumstances as Ahoy Senor had jumped much better for being settled in rear on this occasion.

“Russell stated that she was satisfied with the ride and that it accorded with the instructions given.

“Their explanations were noted.”

Viewers praised Bell for holding the ride to account.

One said: “Finally someone asking the questions for the punter, good interview, Oli.”

Another wrote: “Thought this part of the show was very good, something we don’t see enough of after questionable rides.

“I thought he should have asked sooner but after Tom’s explanation you can see why he did wait.”

While a third posted: “Oli Bell is the guy asking the right and sometimes difficult questions on ITV Racing these days – has improved considerably.”

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