Cook in wrong course drama at Newton Abbot

There was drama at Newton Abbot when Gaspara passed the post first in the Mint Casino, Torquay Handicap Hurdle but the race was awarded to Tabaran.

Future Vision was a faller on the first circuit and screens had been erected after the second-last flight, but off towards the left of the hurdles track.

Danny Cook, riding Gaspara for David Pipe, spotted an official with a chequered flag and unfortunately went to the left of the hurdle, before joining back in and crossing the line in front of Tabaran.

As Tabaran jumped all the hurdles under Oliver Dayman, he was declared the winner.

Dayman told At The Races: “You could see the flag was up and that there had been an incident but there were no markers on the hurdle and as far as I’m concerned I’m supposed to jump it.

“There was some shouting but it happened so quick and I had a decision to make so I jumped it as there were no markers there.

“To be honest I thought they were shouting about the last so it didn’t even cross my mind to miss the second-last.”

It is a third similar incident for Cook in his short career. He received a 28-day ban for taking the wrong course on Our Vic in the Boylesports Gold Cup and also took the wrong course at Huntingdon last March.