Russell frustrated after JLT start

Day three of the Cheltenham Festival started in controversial fashion as Zabana unshipped Davy Russell at the start of the JLT Novices' Chase.

With the field reduced to a standing start, Zabana and his rider parted company when still appearing to be sideways on to the rest of the field and colliding with Outlander

Russell, who went on to ride the winner of the next race, Mall Dini in the Pertemps Final, said: "It was frustrating. There was no indication we were going to go. My horse was static and I felt he was stuck to the ground, so I needed to move him."

The jockey continued: "When I pulled sideways, he ducked from the tape and ran into Bryan (Cooper, on Outlander) and there was only one route for me then.

"It's unfortunate and it was quite sharp the way it happened. Usually you get a chance to organise yourself.

"I'm frustrated for the connections. It's fine for me, I go 40 minutes later for a different trainer and a different owner and that's fine.

"Andrew Lynch (trainer) is 70-odd years of age, here comes here with one horse and you'd like a go. They're good losers as well as good winners. It's hard to stomach that one. That's the game we're in."

Jamie Stier, Director of Raceday Operations and Regulation for the British Horseracing Authority, said: "A false start had been called because some horses had approached the tape at a canter. However, in the circumstances it was found that no riders had breached the rules.

"In the subsequent standing start Zabana, the mount of Davy Russell, was being turned at an angle to the tapes as they were being raised. The horse was then subsequently knocked from behind by Outlander, causing Davy Russell to unseat.

"We appreciate that the incident looked untidy, but having reviewed it we were satisfied that starting procedures had been followed correctly."

He went on: "The new starting procedures have been working well and been very effective for more than a year thanks to a good understanding between the riders and the starters. The number of false starts are considerably down.

"The standing starts are in place because the past has shown that after a false start has been called it is more likely that the horses will be harder to control and keep at a walk. The standing start approach is intended to ensure that only two starts are ever needed."