Racing

Whats the Scoop cleans out punters at Sandown

Bizarre finish at Sandown sees Starvin Marvin profit from Whats the Scoop’s u-turn

Barry Geraghty riding What’s The Scoop clear the last in a clear lead from Starving Marvin only to veer violently to the left on the run in to lose the race at Sandown. Photograph: Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images
Barry Geraghty riding What’s The Scoop clear the last in a clear lead from Starving Marvin only to veer violently to the left on the run in to lose the race at Sandown. Photograph: Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images
Fri Mar 11 2016 - 18:42

Barry Geraghty suffered his very own ‘Devon Loch’ moment in a truly bizarre finish to the 2.40 at Sandown this afternoon.

With favourite Air Horse One parting company with Noel Fehily at the first, the two-mile prize looked to be at the mercy of What's The Scoop having moved into a clear lead with Geraghty on board.

But after jumping the last well ahead of the second-placed Starvin Marvin, and with punters already counting their winnings, the Nicky Henderson-trained runner threw away his chances of glory when veering violently left at the half-furlong marker.

Although eventually straightened up by Geraghty, all momentum was lost leaving Starving Marvin to take full advantage for a six-length success.

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Geraghty said: “He jumped the last big and I knew he was having a good look coming up the run-in at the stands. It was pretty daunting for him as it is only his third run.

“As soon as he come off the rail, he veered left. He just panicked as he is a big baby.”

"We were a very lucky winner," winning trainer Rod Millman said after the race. "It is usually my horses that do that . . . We were very fortunate today, but we will take every winner we can get. I've not had a jump winner for several years."