Confusion and controversy at Lingfield

Controversy reigned at Lingfield after Welsh Dragon was declared a winner, only for judge Jane Stickels to change her mind.

After a driving finish to the first division of the littlewoodspools.co.uk Handicap, 9-4 favourite Welsh Dragon and 14-1 shot Miss Dagger forced a photo-finish.

Stickels initially called the Andrew Balding-trained Welsh Dragon, ridden by champion jockey Jamie Spencer, as the winner with Miss Dagger, handled by John Best and partnered by 7lb claimer Kylie Manser, second.

But moments after the weighed-in signal was given, Stickels decided she had made the wrong call and reversed the placings.

After a stewards’ inquiry into the incident, the original result stood for betting purposes, but the final outcome was reversed.