Horse Racing: Mussy drama as jockey wins with no irons

Matt Crawley produced an unbelievable piece of horsemanship to win the Scottish Racing Mares' Maiden Hurdle at Musselburgh yesterday on Lastroseofsummer (11-2).

The 7lb claimer's saddle slipped round, meaning he had no irons for just about the final mile of the contest.

The partnership nearly came to an end down the back straight when Crawley ended up with both legs on the same side of the four-year-old, but the jockey not only remained on board by clinging to her neck, he set about trying to win the race.

Crawley then moved into contention rounding the home turn. And despite a hairy moment at the final flight, Rae Guest's filly ran out an easy two-and-a-quarter-length winner from the 3-1 favourite Madamlily.

Although the jockey was finally unseated after the line, a beaming Crawley still received a hero's welcome upon his return to the winner's enclosure.

Crawley said: "I don't know how I did it and you don't really think about it. You just keep trying and she actually jumped better with me on her back than when I was up in the air."