SHEILA'S BOND, badly broken off-hind on the first circuit turn at Wolverhampton tonight.
As the horse wasn't off the inside rail/line of racing when the horses turned in again, we had sight of the flagman desperately waving his b&w, which many jockeys took to indicate "pull up as fast as you can", which, as any NH jockey knows, isn't the message intended. Thus, a rag-tag screeching to a hack canter or trot, then, on the urging of someone official, off they set at racing pace again, with some horses hopelessly adrift at the back.
Naturally, an inquiry, with the result of the finish standing, but no doubt loads of column inches in the RP tomorrow as every horse's ride will be analysed and every jockey's reaction considered. Not sure if any bans for failing to observe the meaning of the flag have yet come in, but it looks as if they could all do with a reminder. It's a "hazard ahead" warning, meaning to take care of having to avoid something - a fallen horse or jockey, or a bashed-up fence, etc., not a "lie back and haul your horse in" demand.