THERE was chaos in the Epsom Derby betting ring as winning punters LOST money.

It came after favourite Benvenuto Cellini was a deemed a non-runner.

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The Aidan O’Brien-trained three-year-old colt was put into the stalls with legendary jockey Ryan Moore on his back.

But video footage showed Benvenuto Cellini get a leg stuck on the running board near the rear gates.

It meant he only had three legs on the ground when the stalls opened – thus being denied a fair start.

With Benvenuto Cellini being a non-runner the hated Rule 4 was applied, meaning punters lost 25p in every £1 they won.

A BHA statement explaining what happened read: “Having reviewed the start of Race 5 @EpsomRacecourse, the Stewards considered that BENVENUTO CELLINI (IRE) was denied a fair start which materially affected its chances and ordered that the colt be declared a non-runner.”

However, Ladbrokes, Coral and BoyleSports waived the rule in a major win for punters.

The firm’s Brian O’Keeffe said: “There will be no rule 4 for BOYLE Sports customers.

“All customers will be paid in full despite Derby favourite Benvenuto Cellini being declared a non runner.

“All customers who backed Benvenuto Cellini will be refunded.”

On-course bookie Jerry White said: “You couldn’t make it up – something always goes wrong.

“The Derby favourite is a non-runner so if you backed him you get your money back.

“But if you backed the winner you get a 25p Rule 4 – ie deduction in winnings.”

BHA steward Shaun Parker said: “The favourite had his left hind leg on the running board.

“As the start was affected he could not jump on terms with the field.

“As he was only standing on three legs he had been denied a fair start.

“Ryan said he wanted to be forward with the horse and we noted he was very slow to start.

“His race had been negatively affected and in terms of the rules he can be declared a non-runner.”