The race got underway with one horse facing backwards. (Image: @racingblogger)
The Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham got underway on Thursday despite one horse facing the wrong direction. Punters were left seething after Maughreen, trained by Willie Mullins, wasn’t given any extra time to get ready after turning the opposite way while heading to the start line.
Instead, the horse, ridden by Paul Mullins, has to make a 360-degree turn. The 66-1 outsider eventually came in sixth, but the poor start all but ruined hopes of being placed. The race was eventually won by the Gavin Cromwell-trained Sixandahalf, from Diva Luna and Air of Entitlement.
It’s not the first controversial race start this week. And fans have online have reacted angrily, with @OTTR_Elliot writing on X: “These starts are an absolute joke MAUGHREEN the latest to have her race totally ruined. Starter has let them go while she was facing the wrong way. It is an embarrassment!!”
@MBonser98 added: “I’m sorry but this starter at Cheltenham is literally ruining the week. What was that? Maughreen turned the wrong way and he’s let them go. Needs P45 in the post.”
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