Chaos at Cheltenham as Sweet David smashes through race barrier – after 10-3 favourite ran off course – before taking victory in dramatic Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase
Chaos reigned at Cheltenham on Friday afternoon as Sweet David romped to victory in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase in hugely dramatic circumstances.
Heading into the final three obstacles, 10-3 favorite Tommie Beau led the chasing pack and looked on course to secure victory in the 3m 6f 37y steep chase, after 29 obstacles.
But as he rounded the corner before the penultimate straight, the leader inexplicably ran out, left the course and missed the corner, leaving the door wide open.
Jockey Michel Nolan did everything he could to keep the unruly gelding on course, but Tommie Beau was unstoppable.
Sweet David, who would win the race, almost followed Tommie Beau off course, but his rider Felix De Giles succeeded where Nolan failed.
But De Giles was not quite out of the woods yet; his saddle got stuck on the white railing that marked the course.
Tommie Beau (far right) was wide as he reached the penultimate straight, causing chaos in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase
Sweet David – the eventual winner – tried to follow Tommie Beau, but his rider Felix De Giles kept him on course, but got caught with his saddle on the barrier.
The Giles and Sweet David recovered to win the 3m 6f 37y steeplechase with a perfectly timed race
As a result, as his horse charged beneath him at about 50 km/h, the rail came away and onto the course.
But miraculously, De Giles stayed on board the Sweet David, and after a few steps the rail simply broke off.
Those in Sweet David’s wake had to swerve sharply to the right to avoid the rubble themselves, while the 5-1 horse appeared to try to take advantage of the absence of Tommie Beau and Nolan.
With Back On The Lash now in the lead and Statuario also battling for the top spot, Sweet David had plenty to do, but De Giles timed his race to perfection.
While waiting on the shoulder of Statuario in third place, Sweet David charged towards the final hurdle and made the move on the inside.
Sweet David continued to plow ahead, opening a huge margin ahead of Back On The Lash and Statuario, coming home streets ahead of Mister Coffey, who usurped Back On The Lash to steal second place.