Racing: Rusk disqualification after mix-up takes the biscuit

BOOKMAKERS complained loudly at Towcester yesterday over a fiasco which began when amateur jockey Fred Hutsby answered a call of nature. Hutsby failed to draw the correct weight after riding Rusk to win the selling hurdle. His mount was disqualified but not before a breakdown in communication between the clerk of the scales and the course announcer that led to the weigh-in being announced before the changed result was made public.

One on-course bookmaker claimed the incident had cost him pounds 3,000. The effect on the off-course market was not immediately clear, though the William Hill organisation believed most backers of Rusk, the 2-1 second favourite, had been paid out.

Hutsby, 22, passed the post in front of 50-1 shot Daring News but on weighing in, the clerk of the scales noted that Hutsby was 11/2lb below the 11st 12lb he should have carried. Daring News was awarded the race.

n Go Ballistic was the most notable absentee among 51 horses left in at yesterday's forfeit stage for the Grand National.

Grand National (10 April) Acceptors: Suny Bay, General Wolfe, Earth Summit, Lord Gyllene, Coome Hill, Cyborgo, Eudipe, Double Thriller, Senor el Betrutti, Belmont King, Addington Boy, Rough Quest, Tamarindo, Fiddling The Facts, Baronet, Papillon, Call It A Day, Bells Life, Avro Anson, Kendal Cavalier, Nahthen Lad, Philip's Woody, Mudahim, Anabatic, Samlee, Bobbyjo, Linden's Lotto, Betty's Boy, Brave Highlander, Time For A Run, Blue Charm, Commercial Artist, Frazer Island, Another Excuse, Hollybank Buck, Strong Chairman, Merry People, Camelot Knight, Emerald Statement, Cavalero, Druid's Brook, Miss Diskin, Damas, Decyborg, Castle Coin, Choisty, Waterloo King, Tell The Nipper, Feels Like Gold, St Mellion Fairway, Back Bar.