JAMES DAVIES suffered an embarrassing moment in the saddle at Taunton on Thursday as the jockey fell off the Neil Mulholland-trained Topless close to the line, leaving Pangbourne - matched at 999-1 on the exchanges - to win the 3m3fhandicap chase.
The pair, both 9-2 shots, were involved in a prolonged battle up the home straight and the race looked to be over as Topless and Davies scaled the final flight with a clear advantage.
With Pangbourne, the 2006 Aintree Champion Bumper winner, making little impression on the leader on the run-in, Topless appeared to be slightly spooked by the cross-section and veered right moments before Davies came out the left side door and hit the deck.
A dejected Davies said: "She was going away to the left, towards the paddock so I pulled my stick through to give her a smack on the left side and she has then gone the other way, causing me to lose my balance.
"It's terrible bad luck and I'm gutted for Neil Mulholland and all the staff. I ride regularly for Neil and it would have been my first winner for him. I was just trying to keep her straight as she was getting exhausted in that ground. I think twice before she's come back riderless after meeting interference, and she deserved a change of luck today."
The bad luck extended beyond connections as Topless' failure to land the spoils cost the six remaining lines in the Totesuper7. Two of the lines belonged to large syndicates who were in line to recieve £194,126 each.
George Primarolo, spokesman for Totesport said: "Racing can be a cruel game sometimes and punters across the country will be sympathising with the holders of the two tickets on Topless."
However seven Betfair punters were left celebrating James Davies' misfortune as they matched Pangbourne at 999-1. The majority of the winnings went to one customer, who staked £111, netting a cool £111,677.07.
Paddy Power and Boylesports offered an olive branch to punters by offering to pay out on both Topless and the winner.
Comments
I waited a year for Topless in a staying race without heavy ground. I still found it funny. It at least becomes my unluckiest loser - back stop was of course that I was running half naked chanting "I am a Genius" - spoke too soon.
02:40am - 16 Jan 09
bedfont, United Kingdom
brilliant opportunity for the dimwitted conspiracy theorists to reveal themselves. sue 'em. slanderous little idiots.
01:40am - 16 Jan 09
davidskiumma, United Kingdom
Credit to paddy power and boylesports. I got paid from pp but had a bigger bet on with another leading bookmaker who decided not to offer the olive branch you mention in the article. It was a freak accident and they should have paid out
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