A JITTERY racehorse has overcome nerves to beat a life ban from the track.

Owner Harry Barlow and regulars at his pub, The Swan at Whalley, have been raising their glasses to the horse - which carries the pub's name - after it passed the stalls test.

The horse faced the ban after refusing to enter the stalls on his last three outings.

Mr Barlow said: "He was as gentle as a lamb - there were no problems. We are all delighted because he will be able to compete on Derby Day. "It also means I have won a £500 bet with my bookmaker that the horse would do it."

The Jockey Club would have imposed the ban if the wayward horse had not entered the stalls twice during yesterday's test at Newmarket.

It was the horse's final chance after club officials granted a reprieve when they heard he had raised thousands of pounds for charity.

Pub regulars also signed a petition, pleading with officials to think twice before imposing a ban.

Royal horse psychologist Richard Maxwell gave the horse expert coaxing to overcome his phobia of stalls.

The horse's first race after facing the ban is in a sprint at Epsom on Vodafone Derby Day on June 7.

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