Topless Jockey Blunder Costs Two Super7 Punters £200,000

For the holders of two tickets in today's Tote Super7 bet, the Carlsberg UK Handicap Chase at Taunton was, as the sponsors might put it, probably the unluckiest race ever. With the first six winners in the bag, two Super7 tickets were running on to Topless, who unseated her jockey James Davies yards from the winning post with victory looking assured.

"I lost my balance," said a distraught Davies. That's not all that was lost, as the mishap cost the ticket holders nearly £200,000 each. "The Super7 looked all set to be won but rolls over again in the most extraordinary circumstances," said the Totesport spokesman George Primarolo. "Racing can be a cruel game sometimes and punters across the country will be sympathizing with the holders of the two tickets on Topless."

A total of six tickets were running on to the final leg, but none had the fortunate winner, Pangbourne, who was left clear when Topless got rid of her rider in dramatic circumstances.

"It was tacky ground out there and she just got exhausted," said Davies. "On the run-in she was heading left towards the parade ring so I pulled my stick through to give her a smack on the left side . . . and she has then gone the other way, and I lost my balance."

The Super7 bet has not been won for some time, with the Tote being accused by certain punters of dropping the bet on days the races look too easy. Now £583,837 rolls over to races selected from tomorrow's meetings at Catterick, Lingfield and Chepstow.

The Taunton race was not a disaster for everyone, however. A total of seven Betfair punters reportedly backed Pangbourne at 999-1, with one customer placing £111 at 999-1 and winning £111,677.07 on the race. The Irish bookmakers Paddy Power have promised to pay out on both Topless and Pangbourne.