3 minute read

Kempton judge swiftly re-visits verdict as Loving Glance loses out

The result of the first division of the Matchbook Novice Stakes at Kempton had to be amended after the judge initially called Loving Glance the winner – only to correct herself and award the race to Albadr.

Two promising horses flashed across the line together, but momentum appeared to be with the fast-finishing Albadr  trained by John Gosden and ridden by Jim Crowley.

However, his head was up in the air on the line, and Martyn Meade's Loving Glance had her nose down where it mattered.

The judge called the result relatively swiftly, only for several people on social media to immediately question it – having seen the freeze frame.

Before the weighed-in signal was given, the result was amended – with Albadr (4-1) getting the verdict by a nose from the 11-10 favourite.

Bookmakers Sky Bet and Betfred announced they would pay out on both horses as the winner.

The British Horseracing Authority issued the following statement in response to the situation:

"An incorrect provisional result was initially announced in the 3pm at Kempton this afternoon announcing Loving Glance as the winner following a photo finish.

"Shortly after the provisional result was called was announced, the error was picked up by the Chief Steward through the verification process put in place to cross check before the official result is declared. The result was then corrected to announce Albadr as the winner and Loving Glance as runner up.

"The official result was announced prior to the "weighed in" signal, which is the point at which the result becomes official.

"We will now take steps to assess the cause of the incorrect provisional result."