ONE of last season's most exciting novice hurdlers Fingal Bay crashed out at odds of 1/12 at Exeter today.
What was expected to be the race to get his novice chase campaign back on track after defeat by Dynaste at Cheltenham, the Richard Johnson ride crashed through the rails three from home after a sketchy round of jumping.
The path was then left clear for Chartreaux to win the Harry Dutfield Memorial Novices Chase at odds of 15/2 for Paddy Brennan.
Johnson said: "Obviously something is not right with the horse, the way he was jumping to his left at almost every fence, and I probably should have pulled him up."
Fingal Bay is being targeted at the RSA Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March for which he has been pushed out to a general 16/1 shot.
Other winners on today's seven race card at Exeter were Home Run, Arbor Supreme, the Italian Yob, Billy Dutton, the Big Freeze and Comte D'Anjou.
The next meeting at the course will be on Thursday, December 20. For more information visit www.exeter-racecourse.co.uk
