Chiefs to launch inquiry following Hunt Cup fiasco

Racing's chiefs are set to investigate after tempers flared in the weighing room following the Royal Hunt Cup, when David Nicholls and William Haggas confronted the starter Peter Haynes.

The trainers of Bencoolen and Roaring Forte respectively were fuming after they, along with Docofthebay, were withdrawn at the start for "unruly behaviour".

Nicholls was seen having a heated exchange with Haynes, who was stepped down as the Grand National starter in 2007 after an apparent loss of confidence by the jockeys.

Nicholls, who claimed that Haynes pushed him, said: "We've been preparing all year for this and we didn't even get a race or the punters get a run for their money.

"I can't believe the starter can just say 'Take the horse away' like that and not give you a proper chance."

Asked for clarification of the rules, Haynes said: "If we take a horse out through unruly behaviour they don't go back in. All three were taken out for the same reason."