Walkover at Worcester

MOULIN De La Croix was the benefactor of a walkover at Worcester last night as trainers registered their dissatisfaction with prize money by boycotting the partex-direct.co.uk Novices’ Hurdle.

Twelve horses were declared for the concluding contest of the evening but, as the race fell below the level set out in the Horsemen’s Group tariff by £900, 11 horses were withdrawn. The movement was organised by trainer Charlie Mann and had the backing of the likes of Nicky Henderson, David Pipe and Donald McCain. The Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained Moulin De La Croix took to the racecourse alone and only had to canter the final furlong to collect the full prize fund of £3,000.

Jockey Sam Twiston-Davies gave a victory salute passing the post and even performed two Frankie Dettori-like flying dismounts on returning to the winner’s enclosure. The delegation of trainers decided to let one horse run rather than withdrawing all 12 so the prize-money could be collected and distributed between the trainers who faced fines. Mann, Henderson, Pipe, McCain, Philip Hobbs, Venetia Williams, Alan King, Jonjo O’Neill, Seamus Mullins and Evan Williams all received fines of £140. Mann said earlier in the day: “The tariffs have been set and it’s unacceptable that we’re racing for the prize-money that we are.”

Tomorrow’s meeting at Hamilton has been abandoned due to a waterlogged track. The Lanarkshire venue was due to stage a seven-race card but further rain has scuppered the evening fixture. They are also due to race on Saturday and officials are planning to transfer the feature John Smith’s Scottish Stewards’ Cup to that card.