Totesport to refund Quest cash

Following the news that ante-post favourite Golden Quest is to miss the totesport Ebor, the sponsors are to refund any stakes placed on the horse since his second in the Lady O Goodwood Cup.

Mark Johnston’s four-year-old ran the race of his life to finish runner-up to Distinction in Thursday’s stamina test and was immediately promoted to the head of the betting at a general 7-1 for the big handicap at York next month.

But it later transpired that Golden Quest had suffered a slab fracture of his left fore, which has ruled him out for the season.

However, there was some good news for backers when totesport spokesman Damian Walker said: “Obviously punters could never win on the horse because he was injured in Thursday’s race. So from 3.25pm onwards after the race stakes on Golden Quest will be refunded.

“We took about £4,000 to £4,500 on the phones and the net and probably £8,000 in total and we will be giving that money back to punters.

“They can go back to the betting shops with their slips and pick up their money. Automatically on the phone and on the net the money will be refunded back into their accounts. We didn’t change the book on the Ebor.”

Totesport’s Ebor betting: 10-1 Zeitgeist, Orpington, Balkan Knight, 12-1 Mr Vegas, Sendintank, 14-1 Cristoforo, Crow Wood, Defining, Dubai Success, Lost Soldier Three, Sergeant Cecil, 16-1 bar.