‘Completely clueless’ – Punter fury as former top jockey is blasted after ‘unbelievable’ Lingfield stewards’ decision

PUNTERS turned on a former top jockey as he was branded ‘completely clueless’ following this hugely controversial Lingfield stewards’ decision.

Sun Racing’s Matt Chapman grilled rider-turned-steward Fergus Sweeney after the 1.27pm all-weather race at the Surrey track on Tuesday.

Former jockey-turned-steward Fergus Sweeney felt the wrath of punters as he explained to Sun Racing’s Matt Chapman how they came to their controversial stewards’ decision in a Flat race at Lingfield

Dubai Harbour, in the blue silks, was named winner despite veering sharply right and interfering two others in the closing stages of the 1m2f race

The gambled-on Dubai Harbour was first past the post at 11-2 under jockey Paddy Bradley for trainer Pat Phelan.

But head-on footage showed the four-year-old gelding lugging right across the track in the closing stages of the 1m2f race, impeding the runs of second-placed Lost In Time and third finished Forge Valley Lad.

The interference appeared pretty substantial, with both Lost In Time and Forge Valley Lad, who was absolutely flying down the outside, being taken off their true lines.

And most punters watching the Flat action expected the result to be reversed, as did Chapman.

But after deliberating it was decided Dubai Harbour – to the shock of viewers – would keep the race and £3,000 first-place prize.

Summing up his case in an interview with Chapman, Sweeney, who won the Group 1 Sprint Cup at Haydock on Twilight Son in 2015, said the neck margin of victory was not enough to make a difference in this case.

He explained: “We felt the issue was, the neck at the line wasn’t closing, the second horse plateaued through the line.”

To which Chapman responded: “Surely the reason he wasn’t closing was because he was completely taken out and knocked off his stride?

“I think most people think Forge Valley Lad would have won that race, he had the momemtum and was stopped from winning. I thought the winner would be placed third.

“Looking at that again, are you absolutely sure Lost In Time had a chance to run right to the line?

Sweeney replied: “These aren’t easy decisions and they’re subject to opinion.

“There’s a panel of three of us, we deliberate, we take it very seriously and this is where we came to. We found the interference was accidental.”

To which Chapman added: “I appreciate you coming out, even if I totally disagree with what you said.”

It seems punters took Chapman’s side in the argument.

One claimed the call was ‘right up there with one of the worst decisions I have ever seen’.

They added: “Absolutely disgraceful from the stewards.”

While another wrote: “What race is Fergus watching? Matt was spot on – Dubai demoted to third. Basically quickest easiest decision ever. Fergus is totally overcomplicating things.

“Twilight Zone stuff.”

One comment read: “Shambolic. And he knows it.”

While a fellow racing viewer wrote: “100% will get changed on appeal. Staggering decision and explanation.”

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