Angry Brian Acheson slams stewards after Stayers' Hurdle appeal

Connections of Dashel Drasher have won their appeal against the decision of the local stewards to demote him from second place to third in the Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, much to the chagrin of Brian Acheson of Robcour Racing, owners of Teahupoo, who now reverts to third place.

Acheson described the decision as "absolute rubbish". "To the three independent stewards, absolute rubbish. You want to get someone murdered," he said.

Trained by Jeremy Scott, Dashel Drasher was a 40-1 chance for the contest when ridden by Rex Dingle in the three-mile Grade One in March.

The 10-year-old led into the final flight but drifted left on the approach, with the stewards deeming this movement to have interfered with the challenge mounted by the Gordon Elliott-trianed Teahupoo.

The eventual winner, Sire Du Berlais, was three-quarters of a length clear at the line and was not involved, but Teahupoo missed out on second by just a nose and the stewards considered that margin to be equal to or greater than the ground he had lost due to the alleged interference.

As a result the placings were reversed after an inquiry on the day, with Dashel Drasher demoted to third and Teahupoo instated as the runner-up.

Scott represented himself, with his argument heard by an independent British Horseracing Authority panel comprising of James O’Mahony, Alison Royston and Dr Lyn Griffiths.

Charlotte Davison, representing the BHA, defended the stewards’ decision and called Davy Russell, rider of Teahupoo, to give evidence.

Russell felt that not only was his chance of finishing second scuppered, but also that his horse would have gone on to win the race had the suggested interference not taken place.

"My route has been dictated by the horse