PASSERS-BY stared in disbelief as a riderless racehorse wearing its colours went on an unscheduled dash for freedom along a canal towpath.

Earlier, the two-year-old colt Rue de Paris, had misbehaved in front of punters at nearby Ripon Racecourse.

It unceremoniously unseated its rider in the parade ring and then broke loose from its handlers.

To the amusement of spectators the horse, from the Neville Bycroft stables in the Malton area, dashed a full length of the mile and a half course.

Clerk of the course James Hutchinson said: "We have had horses break loose before, but nothing quite like this one. It eventually broke through a rail into a field and went on to the canal towpath for a gentle trot," he said.

After startling a group of walkers it was caught by stable staff.

Police had also been alerted to the surprise galloper.

When Rue de Paris was returned to the racecourse its entry was cancelled.

Mr Hutchinson said the horse had expended so much energy on its breakaway two mile run that it was not ready to take part in a race.