BOTH punters and commentator Ian Bartlett were left stunned when Gagarin’s Moon was gifted a race at Longchamp.
Bartlett couldn’t believe what he was seeing and summed up the race perfectly: “they saw him nick it from them!”
On paper, the 1m6f conditions race at Longchamp should have been won by odds-on favourite L’Astronome, who was taking a huge drop in grade.
Gagarin’s Moon, the rank 20-1 outsider, set the pace under Sylvain Ruis and as they turned into the back straight, he started to increase the tempo.
None of his rivals batted an eye as he went further and further clear, to the point where he was a furlong clear turning into the home straight.
Remarkably, his fellow jockeys still sat motionless in the saddle and by the time they asked their horses to close, it was way too late.
Ruis coasted home to a 30-length victory, with the 8-11 favourite L’Astronome only third.
Unsurprisingly, punters were both disgusted and amused in equal measures.
One said: “Five lads at back shouldn’t bother pulling up at the line just ride it straight to stewards room fellas save yourselves the walk.”
Another joked: “Gutted, backed it to win by 31 lengths or more.”
Bartlett is a regular voice at British racecourses and received plenty of praise for his call on the bizarre race.
One said: “Never a dull when Barty is doing the French racing.”
Another added: “Ian Bartlett’s commentary just adds another level to this race. One of the best in the business and for reasons like this. Brilliant stuff.”
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