9 months ago
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ITV produced an awkward blunder as they announced the wrong winner of the first race at this year’s Cheltenham Festival.
Slade Steel, ridden by Rachael Blackmore, triumphed in the Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.
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ITV’s graphic wrongly announced Asian Master as the winnerITVCHELTENHAM BETTING OFFERS – BEST FREE BET DEALS FOR THE FESTIVAL
Rather than Slade Steel, however, ITV‘s on-screen graphic claimed that Asian Master had won the race.
The broadcaster quickly cleared up the error.
But noticing the mistake, one fan harshly wrote on social media: “Your coverage is c***, can’t even put up the correct winner of the first race. Asian Master won did he.”
While a second added: “I wish the @itvracing graphic was right (who put Asian Master as the winner 
). But 4th and hitting the post for a place, but looked good.”
Following her win, Blackmore told ITV: “I was always travelling, I didn’t really want to be in front jumping the last.
“But he took me there and battled back so well.
“The yard do some job with all the horses.”
Slade Steel went into the race at 7/2.
Blackmore overcame runner-up Mystical Power 10/3 to win.
While 11/2 Firefox came third.
And Willie Mullins-trained Asian Master, ridden by 6ft 4in Thomas Costello, finished fourth.
Dubbed the “tallest jockey in the world”, the 22-year-old said going into this year’s Festival: “I question myself sometimes why I am a jockey. It’s tough – I can’t lie.
“I try to watch what I eat and do plenty of exercise to try and keep on top of my weight but it is difficult.
“Breakfast is probably a no-go. For lunch, I try to have a sandwich then have something like a pasta-based dinner, nothing too heavy.
“I try to drink plenty of water and avoid sugary drinks. Chocolate and fizzy drinks are my guilty pleasures.
“It’s difficult not to, but I try not to snack as it doesn’t suit me at all.”
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Thomas Costello has been dubbed the ‘world’s tallest jockey’
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