Punters were surprised to see Milan Bridge awarded a walkover at Ascot on Saturday.
And his trainer Paul Nicholls was left perplexed by the number of non-runners due to the ground after the walkover in the Ebony Horse Club Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase.
The champion trainer was set to saddle two in the contest and actually withdrew Quel Destin on account of the conditions, but the rest of the field were also ruled as the day progressed, leaving Milan Bridge the only horse to go to post for the £8,169 first prize.
