Chaos reigned supreme 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 hurdles, the 10-3 favourite Tommie Beau led the chasing pack and looked on course to secure victory in the 3m 6f 37y steeplechase, after 29 obstacles.
But coming round the bend ahead of the penultimate straight, the leader inexplicably ran out, leaving the course and missing the turn, leaving the door wide open.
Jockey Michel Nolan did everything he could to keep the unruly gelding on course, but Tommie Beau couldn’t be stopped.
Sweet David, who would go on to 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 getting caught on the white railing that outlined the course.
Tommie Beau (far right) ran well wide coming into the penultimate straight which caused plenty of 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, only to snag his saddle on the barrier
De Giles and Sweet David recovered to win the 3m 6f 37y steeplechase with a perfectly timed race
As a result, with his horse beneath him charging at around 30mph, the railing came away and out into the course.
Miraculously, though, De Giles kept his seat aboard Sweet David, and after a stride or so the railing simply snapped off.
Those in Sweet David’s wake had to veer sharply to the right to avoid the debris themselves, as the 5-1 horse looked to try and capitalise on Tommie Beau and Nolan being out the picture.
With Back On The Lash now in the lead and Statuario also vying for first place, Sweet David had plenty to do but De Giles timed his race to perfection.
Waiting on the shoulder of Statuario in third, Sweet David pounced heading into the final hurdle, making the move on the inside.
Sweet David continued to plough ahead and opened up a massive margin to Back On The Lash and Statuario, and came home streets ahead of Mister Coffey, who had usurped Back On The Lash to steal second spot.
