Williamson apologises after losing

Norman Williamson received abuse from the public and a 14-day ban from the stewards after losing a race by dropping his hands at Leicester yesterday. Williamson, riding 4 to 11 favourite Herbert Lodge - who was carrying around £7,000 in recorded bets alone - for Kim Bailey in the three-runner Leicester Novices' Chase, appeared to have the race in safe-keeping after his mount had safely negotiated the last of the contest's 12 fences.

But Graham Bradley on the Charlie Brooks-trained 11 to 4 shot Kapco conjured a late surge under the stands' rail from his partner, who began to wear down the leader on the run-in.

Williamson saw no danger as he casually looked over his right shoulder but by the time he checked the other side he was too late, Kapco leading 75 yards from the finish to register a two-length win.

Furious racegoers were unsparing in their criticism as the Corkman returned to the runnerup's berth, with comments "go back to Ireland", "go to Blackpool" - presumably a reference to the seaside resort's donkey derby - and "you should be banned for six months" among the few printable reactions.

Another racegoer appeared to make an attempt to confront Williamson, being prevented from doing so only by a collision with the jockey's driver.

The stewards immediately announced an inquiry and after a hearing that can have included little in the way of legal debate came the announcement that Williamson had been banned for 14 days (Nov 26th-29th, Dec 1st-6th and 8th-11th inclusive).

To his great credit Williamson, who as a result of his suspension will miss the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Newbury on November 29th, afterwards agreed to face the press to apologise.

"I am very, very sorry - I made a mistake," he said. "It's been done before and it will be done again. I made a mistake and that's it - sorry to the public."

Describing the inquiry, in which Williamson was found in breach of Jockey Club Rule 151 concerning horses obtaining the best possible placing, stipendiary steward Colin Vickers commented: "He put his hands up and admitted it was a mistake on his part. He said he was very sorry, but there was not much more he could say.

"Fourteen days is the maximum local stewards can give but we couldn't give him much less than the maximum for that."

Jockeys formed a protective circle around Williamson as he went out to ride in the following Stoughton Novices' Hurdle won by Gipsy Geof, and Bradley expressed sympathy for his friend and colleague.

"Norman thought he had won but it is one of those things," he said. "He made a mistake and has said he is sorry, and that is all you can say. It has happened many times before and it will happen again."

Williamson had earlier ridden a winner on Bailey's The Whole Hog, like Herbert Lodge carrying the Mr Frisk colours of Mrs Harry Duffey, who proved too good for Alaskan Heir the only other finisher in the Midland Handicap Chase.

Meanwhile, Newmarket trainer William Haggas was fined £1,500 under the non-trier's rule when his juvenile Shocker finished unplaced at Southwell yesterday afternoon.

The stewards held an inquiry under Rule 151 into the running and riding after the horse had finished sixth, beaten 12 lengths, after apparently never having been asked a question or placed to challenge in the Mozambique Maiden Stakes.