Punters have been left out of pocket after an odds-on winner at Kempton last Friday night was mistakenly called a loser in another episode that shows racing in a poor light.
Oregon Gift, sent off a heavily backed 10-11 favourite for division one of the Racing UK Profits Returned To Racing Handicap, officially went down by a nose to 8-1 shot Bird For Life after hitting an in-running low of 1.1 on Betfair.
However, the places were amended on Wednesday following further consideration of the photo-finish by the judge Felix Wheeler.
Kempton cock-up: view the race replay and result here
The British Horseracing Authority has pledged to take steps to minimise the chance of a recurrence, but that will come as little consolation to those who backed Oregon Gift or to the connections of Bird For Life.
Oregon Gift, who was carrying a 6lb penalty after winning easily at Wolverhampton 24 hours earlier, would have been a banker for many punters in multiples as well as single bets. However, as per the Tattersalls rules of betting, the original result stands.
Paddy Power announced they would be paying out on the amended result, honouring singles placed on Oregon Gift in betting shops, and singles and multiples online. Sky Bet also announced they would be paying out on the amended result.
Paul Binfield, spokesman for Paddy Power, said: “It’s very unfortunate that in 2018 with all the technology available to the authorities this sort of thing is still happening.”
Mark Usher, who trains Bird For Life, said: “It’s very disappointing. The judge seems to have made a mistake and we accept that. A judge is a human being and we can all make mistakes.
“There is nothing we can do about it. Unfortunately, Bird For Life went up 4lb for winning, whereas I'm sure she would only have gone up 1lb for being beaten a nose. That means, in the short term at least, she will be 3lb ‘wrong’ in future races.
“I’m disappointed with the way it’s all been handled by the BHA – it’s been a case of like it or lump it as far as they are concerned – but we’ve got to move on.”
The handicapper subsequently reassessed Bird For Life's mark so she is now 3lb higher than at Kempton
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