‘Absolutely dismal viewing’ – horse wins £40,000 in ’embarrassing’ walkover as all other runners pulled out of ITV race

CAPTAIN TEAGUE pocketed £20,000 for a walkover successful the £40,000 novice pursuit astatine Exeter aft each different runner was withdrawn owed to speedy ground.

The Paul Nicholls-trained six-year-old, who won the Challow Hurdle past year, was each acceptable to marque his chasing debut.

But each Harry Cobden's equine had to bash successful bid to 'win the race' was gallop from the furlong marker to the winning line.

Initially determination were 3 different runners successful the race, but Dan Skelton's Deafening Silence was taken retired of the race, arsenic was Sue Gardner's Daring Plan arsenic neither wanted to tally the hazard of injury.

Dan Skelton said: "It's highly frustrating for everybody. It's highly frustrating for the industry. I'm definite determination are going to beryllium tons of comments astir however embarrassing it each is.

"But unfortunately, you can't beryllium embarrassed astir this astatine this constituent due to the fact that I tin lone bash the close thing. It is driven into america from each space astir welfare.

"All of this 'oh it's embarrassing stuff' it would beryllium overmuch much embarrassing if we were moving horses and they were getting injured.

"I deliberation if commentators could delight carnivore with america that we're making the close calls. It volition alteration - it's the UK, it volition rainfall and erstwhile it does it astir apt won't shop.

"I privation I could tally them.

"It's the ground. But It's not similar the clerks person made an incorrect call. It's not similar they person overwatered. It's conscionable the weather. There's nary responsibility whatsoever."

Punters were not blessed either.

One said: "Get this c*** disconnected ITV Racing."

Another simply added: "Joke."

While 1 said: "A nonsense. I get horses similar crushed but they're mode excessively pampered these days."

And 1 added: "Absolutely dismal viewing."

FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS

Commercial contented notice: Taking 1 of the offers featured successful this nonfiction whitethorn effect successful a outgo to The Sun. You should beryllium alert brands wage fees to look successful the highest placements connected the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. gambleaware.org.

Remember to gamble responsibly

A liable gambler is idiosyncratic who:

• Establishes clip and monetary limits earlier playing
• Only gambles with wealth they tin spend to lose
• Never chases their losses
• Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, aggravated oregon depressed
• Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
• Gamble Aware – www.gambleaware.org

Find our detailed usher connected liable gambling practices here.