Young horse deprived of win by 'bizarre' circumstances on debut

His horse Poppy Come Running was making her racing debut in a mares-only National Hunt flat race, designed to give young horses experience of racing.

The mare, who had been backed down to 7-2 second favourite in a big gamble, was ridden by Moore's son, amateur jockey, Joshua Moore (17). He has already proved his worth in the saddle with a fine record of wins,the latest coming in a well judged ride on Ile de Maurice this week at Fontwell.

After being waved around a patch of false ground on the hurdles course by a flagman, Poppy Come Running suddenly ducked inside the protective temporary rail in the middle of the track at the last moment, unseating Moore in the process and allowing Malindi Bay and Leighton Aspell to go on and win.

Gary Moore said that the runners had been asked to follow a course that was 'like a chicane' as a result of heavy rain throughout the day.

"It's nobody's fault because of all the rain," Moore said, "but for babies like that it was a big ask in very heavy ground. It was all right the first time around, but second time she was a big baby out in front on her own.

"In hindsight it probably would have been better to abandon the race, and trainers should have been given the option. I was not aware where they had to go until I saw the race.

"She's fine afterwards, she's a nice filly and home-bred by her owner. He's not been well and he might have felt a bit better seeing her win first time out. It's expensive to keep a horse in training, and it's frustrating when something like that happens."

Stewards took no action over the incident. "They were satisfied that the horse was going the right side of the running rail," Paul Struthers, British Horseracing Authority's spokesman, said, "and then ducked out at the last minute."

Meanwhile Lewes trainer Suzy Smith enjoyed a welcome win when Hello My Lovely was an 11-1 winner of a handicap chase at Southwell last week, ridden by Colin Bolger. The eight-year-old had finished second at Plumpton last month and clearly enjoyed the 25 furlong trip, bringing Geoff Hubbard Racing a well deserved victory.

Patience has paid off with this mare, who seems to have come to herself this season and should go on to more success.

Stable star Aimigayle, six, has clocked up six wins and eight placings so far in her career, rewarding owner-breeder Pete Mercer.

She is clearly destined for chasing and her recent second place at Ascot in a three miles 1 furlong handicap chase is bound to be improved on this season. She is a gutsy mare whose hurdle wins were a bonus.

An interesting newcomer to hurdles for the yard is Beau Lake, owned by Bernard and Jan Wolford. Kept to bumper races last season, where she had a third place, she had an unfortunate run at Fontwell last month, where her rider lost his irons at the first obstacle and she was one of two to fall on the downhill run.

She bypassed very soft conditions in a two mile novice hurdle at Sandown on Saturday and holds entries in novice hurdles at either Huntingdon tomorrow or Lingfield on Saturday.

Sullingon trainer Richard Rowe is off the mark for the season, with two chase wins already under his belt and the signs are that more will follow shortly.

Marty's Mission ran outstandingly well in the face of top class opposition to finish 50-1 second at Newbury at the end of November, rewarding his trainer's faith in him. Although there were only four runners in the race, his opposition was highly regarded, but only the elite Punchestown beat him to the post.

In atrocious conditions at Folkestone last week, Helm (third), Lord Appellare (second) and Alteranthola (third) all ran well enough to suggest a win might not be far away.

Lord Appellare is entered in a chase at Huntingdon on Saturday. Pocket Aces, who has won four times, the latest three weeks ago, has a choice of entries at Taunton tomorrow or at Cheltenham on Friday in the Cheltenham Collection Novice chase.