Tompkins on his marks for appeal

14 April 2012

Mark Tompkins heads to Portman Square today hoping to overturn one of the most controversial decisions made by the stewards all season.

The Newmarket trainer feels he has a strong case as he bids to see Babodana reinstated as the winner of a valuable race which took place last Saturday.

However, even if he succeeds the verdict will be of scant use to a Newcastle pensioner who has to go down as one of the unluckiest and most sporting losers of all time.

Former stable lad Jack Lee has been backing horses for most of his life and, at the age of 75, finally felt he had hit the big time with a £2 bet on the Tote Scoop6 at Newmarket and Wetherby last weekend.

All six horses passed the post first, but the Newmarket stewards demoted Babodana for causing interference to Sleeping Indian in the fifth leg of a six race accumulator and thereby deprived Lee of a dream jackpot of almost £1m.

Tompkins was baffled by the decision to demote Babodana on the day and, having studied the video replay at length this week, has seen nothing to alter his view that the decision was flawed.

"Obviously, I'm hoping we win our appeal, but this poor bloke Mr Lee is the one I feel for as the decision cost him a fortune and yet he won't get paid out whatever happens," he said.

Tompkins has decided to represent himself at the 10am hearing and will base his case on the argument that the two horses never made contact as Babodana began to drift off a true line.

He added: "Unlike in a lot of the stewards' inquiries this year, the two horses never touched each other at any stage. Some winners have knocked other horses sideways without being thrown out, but there was at least two feet between the two of them at all times on Saturday and I'd be very hopeful we can go and get the race back on appeal."

Lee could be forgiven for cursing his luck and the Newmarket stewards after such a near miss but simply summed up his predicament by telling the Racing Post "that's gambling for you."

He added: "It was a lot to lose, but I'm pretty calm about it all. I think the stewards got it wrong and I hope they win their appeal - I feel very sorry for the owner and the trainer."

Meanwhile, Ed Dunlop welcomed a Breeders' Cup millionaire back to his Newmarket yard with the return of Ouija Board last night and is hoping to add another big prize to his golden autumn when the improving Mith Hill tackles the November Handicap at Doncaster on Saturday.

Tompkins on his marks for appeal

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