Disbelief as stewards fail to investigate ‘criminal’ ride that sparked social media uproar

11 months ago 60

PUNTERS reacted with disbelief after stewards failed to investigate a ride described by punters as ‘criminal’ at Doncaster.

Sun Racing columnist Matt Chapman was among those surprised by the BHA stewards’ decision not to probe jockey David Maxwell for his effort on Off The Jury.

A few eyecatchers here! Royal Infantry wins the bumper at @DoncasterRaces for @DSkeltonRacing and @harryskelton89 with Off The Jury finishing strong in second under David Maxwell… pic.twitter.com/Cepfjqac6n

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) January 10, 2024

It appears the @BHAStewards had no issue with any ride in the last @DoncasterRaces @AtTheRaces! Oh my

— Matt Chapman (@MCYeeehaaa) January 10, 2024

The five-year-old gelding was sent off 13-2 for a Class 5 bumper worth just under £2,500 to the winner.

Amateur jockey Maxwell was travelling well on the Alan King-trained debutant approaching the two-furlong pole.

As his rivals got low in the saddle and exerted maximum effort from their mounts, Maxwell looked to be cruising on Off The Jury.

Harry Skelton hit the front a furlong out on eventual 14-1 winner Royal Infantry.

But it was Off The Jury who was the massive eyecatcher, eating up the turf to pass two struggling rivals with ease.

Maxwell rode out the horse he owns to finish second but punters were of the opinion he could have got closer had he applied maximum effort.

A surge of comments in reaction to the finish were posted under a clip of the race.

And many were certain stewards would haul Maxwell in to explain his ride.

But the only mention Off The Jury got in the stewards’ report was that he was given permission to wear a red hood to the start to keep calm.

Expressing his own surprise at what happened, Chapman wrote on X: “It appears @BHAStewards had no issue with any ride in the last @DoncasterRaces @AtTheRaces! Oh my.”

Another punter said the incident was an ‘absolute shocker’ while one comment read: “Why is nothing noted by @BHAStewards for this ride?”

Grand National-winning jockey Mick Fitzgerald called out the ride, while one person posted: “That didn’t look good from David Maxwell on Off the Jury.”

Maxwell bought Off The Jury for just under £150,000 at the Goffs Punchestown sales last April.

The horse won his sole start in a point-to-point under top class amateur Rob James.

Maxwell recently won over punters by giving them a banker double.

He rode 3-1 fav Joker De Mai to victory at Lingfield on December 11 then told everyone to reinvest their winnings on his good thing in France the next day.

Sure enough Maxwell cruised home 24 hours later on 15-8 All In You at Fontainebleau.