The closing stages of the McCarthy Insurance Mares Beginners Chase provided more drama than a Dick Francis novel as Belle Brook appeared to throw away certain victory at the final fence only to get the race in the stewards room.
Belle Brook, well backed from 8/1 into 5/1, appeared to have settled the issue when stretching about six lengths clear of 13/8 favourite Special Token before the last in the two and a half mile event.
However she jumped the last very awkwardly and sprawled badly on landing, with Davy Russell performing heroics to keep the partnership intact although his mount came to a complete standstill.
This left Special Token and Martin Ferris in front on the run-in before Russell got the unfortunate Belle Brook going again to be only denied by a head at the line.
A stewards enquiry was called after the pair came very close on the run-in, with the riders arms almost intertwined near the line, and the placings were reversed as the stewards found that Belle Brook had been impeded.
Russell commented afterwards that “Martin Ferris' whip got hooked up inside my reins and we were tangled up accidentally.”
Winning trainer Michael Cullen was full of praise for Russell and added, “The fact that she had cheekpieces on today helped her to dominate from the front. I've no real plans but its great to get that win.”
