Ruby Walsh blasts ‘that’s not fair’ for pre-race incident before Hewick wins King George Chase at Kempton

LEGENDARY jockey Ruby Walsh blasted the decision to let two fancied King George runners go to post early while the others paraded.

The Grade 1 prize was won in dramatic fashion by Hewick after Shishkin stumbled and unseated Nico de Boinville from the lead several strides after the second-last.

PA

Hewick (right) comes to challenge Allaho (left) and Bravemansgame (centre) at the last[/caption]

Hewick, who had hit 549-1 in running and looked to have no hope, stormed home after the last to pick up Allaho and Bravemansgame in the dying strides.

Although the on-track action was stellar, Walsh was left less than impressed by what happened beforehand.

As with most big races, runners are paraded in front of the grandstands before they go down to the start, so punters can get one final look at the stars on show.

In special circumstances, some horses can get permission to head to the start early.

This would be for more skittish types who could be put off by the crowd noise.

Both Bravemansgame and Shishkin were given permission to head down early and miss the parade, much to the bemusement of ITV Racing’s Ruby Walsh.

Walsh said: “This is what I am seeing and I don’t think it’s right – four horses have to parade but two go early.

“You can’t let Shishkin and Bravemansgame go off early to the start and leave the rest to parade – that’s not fair. You all parade or nobody does.

“You can’t let the two short in the betting go to the start before everybody else.”

Walsh’s ITV colleague Mick Fitzgerald agreed, adding: “Ruby hit the nail on the head, it should be all or none.

“You can’t have the two at the head of the betting not parading.”

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