By Peter Moore at Plumpton Monday 17th November 2025
The BLP Amateur Jockeys Handicap Hurdle race at Plumpton on Charlotte Savill memorial charity raceday on Monday descended into a farce with four of the nine runners pulling up early in the race amidst utter confusion.
A misunderstanding shortly after the start led to almost half of the field stopping to a halt early in the 2m4½f contest won by Clear Storm and Adam Ryan.
A black and white chequered flag was raised and a whistle sounded as protocol to signal to ride with caution, but there was confusion among the jockeys, with many not willing to go on and looking around.
Four runners pulled up after a couple of furlongs, leaving just five runners to continue. Clear Storm went on to win by 11 lengths,
Winning rider Ryan said: “When I saw the chequered flag and heard the whistle, I wasn’t sure what the rules were and I heard somebody shout, ‘Are we a false start or are we off?’ In the heat of the moment it puts doubts in your mind.
“I saw people pulling up and I didn’t know whether to pull up or not, but I saw the big screen and realised we were on.”
Patrick Mullins, who was riding Paul Nicholls for the first time, was one of the first to go forward and continue racing, said: “I think because the hurdles were out and they were blowing the whistles and waving the flag there was a miscommunication.”
Riders Daisy Warden, Tommie O’Brien and Harry O’Dwyer received a seven-day ban for the incident, while James King’s explanation was accepted that Dreamweaver’s saddle had slipped up his neck and he would not have been expected to continue.
No such drama in the feature race of the afternoon, The Class 2 Old Gold Racing Handicap Hurdle run over 2m 4f, which went to trainer in form Chris Gordon who saddled Goodwin to victory with his son Freddie in the plate.
With the field well strung out, it was down to Goodwin and Stream Of Stars to fight out the finish. Stream Of Stars nudged ahead, but Goodwin found that little bit extra to go on and win by three and a quarter lengths.
Just four runners contested the opening event on the card with Fountains Blenhein going to post a very warm favorite.
The 4-11 shot was headed two out with El Galactio pushed out over a furlong out to score by three and a half lengths for Neil Mulholland who completed a quick fire double with Clear Storm.
The all conquering yard of Joe Tizzard made it six winners in their last nine runners after bottom weight Siam Park took the 2m 1f handicap chase by four and a quarter lengths.
Dan Williams was celebrating his first winner under rules after steering Final Straw to victory in the 3m 1f novice handicap hurdle by seven and a half length from Drumheller.
Williams, who rides Sir Gino every day, has been with Nicky Henderson for two years and was having his eighth ride under rules.
Henderson, who had struck with Lulamba on his chasing debut at Exeter, was full of praise for the youngster. The Seven Barrows trainer said “While I was in Exeter, I would have liked to be at Plumpton because Dan, who rode Final Straw, is a really good lad.
“He rides our best horses, he rides Sir Gino every day, he rides Constitution Hill – he rides everything. This is seriously a top-class guy.
“Dan was with Noel Fehily, and then he came to us, which I’m grateful for, as you won’t find a harder-working guy on this planet. He deserved it, as he’s a very capable rider who you’ll hear more of.”