‘Useless’ rules shambles as Nicky Henderson wins race 11 days after horses’ ‘incredible’ finish

MASTER trainer Nicky Henderson was forced to win a race twice – as his horse was officially named winner 11 days after the horses finished.

Henderson’s Aston Martini was first past the post in a valuable £40,000 mares’ novices’ hurdle at Lingfield on January 21.

Aston Martini, the horse on the inside in the yellow silks, was originally named winner, then demoted to second, then named winner again 11 days later

James Bowen thought he had landed connections a tasty cheque for just under £20,000 with victory on the 14-1 chance.

But a stewards’ enquiry was called after it appeared Aston Martini had bumped into and interfered with 40-1 runner-up Ooh Betty, who originally lost by a nose.

After reviewing the footage, the result was reversed, with Aston Martini demoted to second and Ooh Betty – who was originally down to win owners £9,000 – named winner.

However, Seven Barrows boss Henderson disagreed and launched an appeal against.

The result of that came through on February 1, some 11 days after the race was won, and once again the result was reversed.

Aston Martini, who is owned by HP Racing Aston Martini syndicate, was named winner a second time with Ooh Betty placed second… again.

One punter couldn’t work out why the original result was overturned only to be reverted back so long afterwards, saying: “This sport doesn’t help itself does it?”

While another said: “Not the way you like to win a race but nevertheless great to see Aston Martini awarded victory.”

And there was surprise it was overturned on the day of the race too, with one punter commenting: “Awful decision.”

Explaining how they came to reach the final decision, panel chair Philippa Charles said: “It is clear from the evidence there was little if any loss of momentum by the sufferer Ooh Betty and neither did she lose much, if any, ground.

“It’s very difficult to be satisfied that Ooh Betty would have finished in front of the other horse. She may, she may have not.

“At the point at which the horses crossed the line, it was Aston Martini which was going the better of the two.

“In the view of the panel, it is not established on the balance of probabilities that, given an uninterrupted run to the line, Ooh Betty would have finished in front of the interferer.”

Henderson will be hoping for no such drama in the build up to Cheltenham Festival.

He swerved running Constitution Hill on Trials Day after the superstar unbeaten hurdler returned a dirty scope.

While Jonbon was turned over at 1-4 in the rearranged Clarence House Chase after crashing through a fence four from home.

And his No1 jockey Nico de Boinville remains on the sidelines after rushing back from a broken collarbone too soon.

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