Waterford jockey 'abused by English rider' in front of his kids in 'horrific' Cheltenham row

Waterford trainer and amateur jockey Declan Queally has claimed he was abused by a rival rider before the opening race on day two of the Cheltenham Festival.

The Waterford native was preparing for the start of the 1.20 Turners Novices' Hurdle when a tense exchange took place on the track involving fellow jockey Nico de Boinville.

Footage of the incident later appeared during ITV's live broadcast, seemingly showing the pair in a heated moment before the race got underway.

Queally, who was riding I'll Sort That, appeared to move aside to allow De Boinville and his mount Act of Innocence through as the field gathered for the start.

Speaking after the race, Queally said the exchange had taken place in front of his children.

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"Being abused by an English rider, Nico de Boinville, wasn't very nice," he said.

"I'm an amateur, I'm coming over here, riding in front of my kids. Horrific."

De Boinville was later asked about the moment during the ITV coverage and offered a brief response.

"Maybe he (Queally) should look in the mirror."

The incident was also discussed by pundits during the broadcast, with racing legend Ruby Walsh weighing in ahead of the next race.

"It's all great fun and games isn't it, but I think that's the same Nico who won Jonbon last year and put his head on the tape so maybe he needs to look in the mirror too," Walsh said.

"But I do think Ed that you need a rolling start, I've said it for a long time that if the horses walked out and lined up behind the tape, that then moved in front of the horses then you'd have none of this drama.

"I think that is the mechanism that is required," he added.

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ITV pundit Luke Harvey also referenced previous debate around race starts at Cheltenham.

"The other day there was an article about the starts and the amount of false starts they have here at Cheltenham, and Nico was quoted as saying 'part of the blame are the Irish jockeys who come over here and don't know the rules and the amateur riders'."

In the race itself, Paul Townend went on to claim victory aboard King Rasko Grey for Willie Mullins.

De Boinville finished second on Act of Innocence, while Zeus Power and Soldier Reeves followed before Queally and I'll Sort That completed the top five.