Bizarre scenes at the start of the Herald Champion Novice Hurdle
We did warn you.
"He comes with a health warning in that sometimes when the tape lifts, he just refuses to race,"
said Hayley O'Connor of Labaik.
And so it came to pass in the 4.20 from the opening day of the Punchestown Festival as Gordon Elliott's Supreme Novices' Hurdle winner steadfastly refused to run, choosing instead to get entangled in the railings as Jack Kennedy manfully attempted to get the quirky 5-2 shot off and running.
Favourite Melon, who was runner up to Labaik at Cheltenham, failed to take advantage, with Willie Mullins' 8/1 chance Cilaos Memory claiming the €59,00o on offer for first place to give Mullins a 1-2 in his attempt to chase down Elliott in the trainer's championship.
https://twitter.com/tips4punters/status/856894205226078208
Needless to say, punters were less than impressed with their temperamental bet's behaviour. With some even trying to blame Melon's pilot Ruby Walsh for spooking Labaik.
https://twitter.com/VicCoxbets/status/856895110629515266
https://twitter.com/asarobinson207/status/856895078954151937
https://twitter.com/Andy_George_/status/856895851641352192
https://twitter.com/KingSMJ23/status/856895582002184192
https://twitter.com/EmmettKeane/status/856894745003667457
https://twitter.com/happybutcher2/status/856896093619187714
Some bookies were offering refunds, others - given the horse's reputation - were not. Best to check, perhaps that isn't a beaten docket.
