A nationwide gamble took place overnight, as four runners from Sheena West's stable were gambled into as short as even money from overnight highs of 25/1. The four horses in question – two at Wincanton and two at Lingfield – are all under the same ownership of Daniel Steele.
Owner Steele had admitted to backing his horses in multiples but insisted that “no big money was down.”
The first, Fintan, was ultimately pulled up by Marc Goldstein despite racing up with the pace. The second, Landscape, was never involved and finished last of the nine runners under Mattie Batchelor.
Punters who latched on to the gamble were left waiting on a double at Lingfield to make any profit.
Four time course and distance winner Tee It Up Tommo looked the most likely winner of the quartet before the gamble, but under William Twiston-Davies only finished ninth of ten runners leaving it to Well Painted to salvage anything for the West stable.
Returning from a four month break, the Excellent Art gelding started co-favourite but joined the other runners in finishing at the tail-end of the field in the amateur handicap under Megan Spencer.
All four jockeys were questioned by stewards following racing, but no action was taken.
