Winner of £175,000 race at Newmarket set to be DISQUALIFIED after jockey goes four over whip limit
THE winner of the Cesarewitch is in danger of being chucked out after jockey Jamie Powell appeared to go FOUR over the whip limit.
But backers of the runner-up Manxman could still lose out as the 33-1 winner Alphonse Le Grande will not be officially disqualified until the BHA’s whip committee meets on Tuesday in London.
Punters will rightly be furious that the well-fancied 7-1 shot, who was only beaten a nose, will in all likelihood be awarded the race in the coming days but the bookies are not obliged to pay out.
THE SUN RACING MEMBERS ENCLOSURE
The only place to get Templegate's tips first - and at the best prices - is by joining Sun Racing's brilliant Members Enclosure.
Sign up now for just £1* to be part of racing's best winning team and get...
- Four free racing tickets, four times a year - worth £300
- Templegate’s daily tips at the BEST prices before anyone else
- Tomorrow’s copy of The Favourite at 9pm today
- Exclusive insights from Andrew Balding and Hayley Turner
- VIP competitions from Racing Breaks each month
- New customer offer with Coral
Become a member today for just £1*
*For the first month then £3 per month thereafter.
18+ Ts and Cs apply. First month membership £1, then £3 per month unless you cancel at least 7 days before your next billing date. For more information contact [email protected]
Alphonse Le Grande becomes just the third horse in Britain to lose a race because of a whip breach, and it is comfortably the most high-profile DQ since strict new whip rules were introduced in 2022.
Alex Edwards became the first to fall foul of the new rules at Market Rasen in November 2023, while Poppy Wynne lost one earlier this year when going a whopping eight strokes over the limit.
Young jock Powell, who was champion apprentice in Ireland last year, is also looking at a likely 28-day ban, with punishments doubled in big races like the Cesarewitch.
Chief steward at Newmarket, Tony McGlone, said: “From our point of view he has used the whip ten times. We cannot make the decision to disqualify on the day, it has been referred back to London.”