Cheltenham Diary: Cheltenham chiefs claim start fiasco not their fault

Cheltenham chiefs admit the start of yesterday’s JLT Novices’ Chase “looked untidy” —but insist starting procedures had been followed correctly.

Davy Russell might not agree. 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.