Pat Cosgrave banned for 28 days after dramatically throwing away victory on 1-6 favourite

Jockey Pat Cosgrave has been banned for 28 days after throwing away victory on long odds-on favourite Concorde in the mile handicap when easing up in the final stages at Chelmsford.

The jockey had cruised into the lead in the final furlong on the George Boughey-trained 1-6 hotpot, who looked set for another impressive success having won on his handicap debut at Redcar on Monday.

A motionless Cosgrave looked over both shoulders in the final furlong before beginning to sharply ease his mount in the final stages, but had underestimated the proximity of the Brian Ellison-trained My Roxanne on his inside.

My Roxanne’s rider Ben Robinson swooped on the inside rail and remarkably rallied to score by a nose. The winner returned at 8-1, while £12,000 was matched at 1.01 on Concorde on the Betfair Exchange.

How the incident unfolded

Speaking on Racing TV, Cosgrave said: “I sat last in the race and worked through the gears in the straight and past all the other horses. I’ve just made a judgement of error, a mistake, and the eventual winner has just caught me unaware.

“I made a mistake and I’d like to apologise to the owner Mr Roy and the trainer George Boughey. It’s embarrassing but I have to take it on the chin. I’m really embarrassed and really sorry, the horse should’ve won.

“It was completely my fault and it’s very unfortunate for all concerned. I’m very sorry for what happened.”

The in-running comment

Concorde

Steadied start, travelled strongly, held up in last, headway and going easily when joined leaders over 1f out, led 1f out, eased towards finish, headed post

Read these next:

‘I apologise for my mistake’ – jockey banned for a month after misjudging winning post 

2023 Scottish Grand National tips: why this horse can win the big race at Ayr 

Subscribe today | Get 50% off your first three months 

Do you want £200+ of free bets? Racing Post have got the best offers, all in one place. Visit racingpost.com/freebets to find out more.