NEIL Middleditch felt Chris Holder had enjoyed precious little good fortune over his gate positions in the British Grand Prix – and backed the Pirates star to recover from his Cardiff disappointment.

Sydneysider Holder managed just six points from five qualifying rides and missed out on the semi-finals, with former Poole favourite Antonio Lindback taking overall victory in the Welsh capital.

And Pirates team boss Middleditch felt sympathy for Holder over a tough night that saw the 2012 world champion slip to seventh in the standings.

Middleditch told the Daily Echo: "Chris was unlucky to get gate four twice. If had got an inside gate early on perhaps he could have capitalised on that.

"There are no easy races out there and you need some luck over your gate position. His racing was good and if he had made more starts then he would have been hard to catch.

"You can't afford to give guys of that level a headstart over the first 30 metres.

"It wasn't his night but he is better than seventh."

The next round of the world championship takes place at Swedish venue Malilla next month.

Middleditch added: "I'm sure Chris will make amends in the next round. He will sit down with his team and have a chat and see if they can improve things.

"They are back on a permanent track next time so, hopefully, he can show what he can do on that one."