Rose Dawes 'livid' after last-second stumble costs her victory on Whistledown

Whistledown was a hugely unlucky loser of the 5f nursery (4.50), appearing to lose her backend when in a clear lead and with the post approaching, and was ultimately caught right on the line by Amazonian Dream.

It took a photo-finish to decide the verdict with many observers still favouring Whistledown, but the decision went to the 5-2 favourite for Rod Millman and Oisin Murphy.

The result was particularly galling for 7lb claimer Rose Dawes, who did everything right on the Mick Channon-trained runner-up only to feel her horse lose her legs deep in the final furlong.

4.50 Sandown: full result and race replay

"I thought I'd held on and I don't know if she got her foot stuck in a hole or what," said the rider. "She's just ended up stumbling a bit and it's cost her winning. I'm livid because she'd have won easy otherwise. It's so unfortunate."

Dawes, 20, in her second season riding having partnered five winners, added: "She's given me a dream ride and travelled lovely. When she got the gap she really quickened away and was just unlucky. She slipped near the line and it's cost her the race."

More than £40,000 was matched on the runner-up at 1.01 in running on Betfair. Whistledown hit 1.01 twice, with £23,381 matched in running, and a further £18,050 matched at 1.01 in the photo betting. Amazonian Dream hit 100 for £124 in running and in the photo £1.20 was matched at 250.

Of the winner, Millman said: "I've not seen the replay properly, but it's bad luck for the runner-up. Our horse was messed about with at the start and had to come wide, but he's a nice horse and he'll probably be better at six furlongs."

The official winning margin was a noseCredit: RaceTech

Winning rider Murphy added: "I wasn't sure if I'd got there or not to be honest. It wasn't the easiest trip with interference at halfway, but the horse is in good form and it was a good bit of placing."

A report from the stewards noted that Whistledown "appeared to become severely unbalanced shortly before the line, nearly unseating Dawes". The veterinary officer reported that a post-race examination of the filly failed to reveal any abnormalities.

The 5f course at Sandown has suffered something of a chequered past, and only last month a provisional result on the sprint track had to be amended with the mirror image ruled to have been "out of alignment" meaning that image had to be discarded and the result was changed to a dead-heat.

However, the BHA's head of stewarding Shaun Parker was entirely satisfied that the correct result had been reached on this occasion.

Botti beaming

Marco Botti gave a big thumbs-up to the Sky Bet Sunday Series after saddling Silver Gunn to win the 1m2f apprentice handicap under Dylan Hogan.

Botti had been on the Sandown scoresheet on Saturday when Divine Magic landed a Class 4 handicap for fillies, with connections pocketing £4,752.

In comparison, Silver Gunn, who was also scoring at Class 4 level, picked up £18,039 thanks to the boosted prize-money levels on offer on the three Sunday Series fixtures this year, leaving Botti and owner Paul Hunt with big smiles on their faces.

"It's great for owners, I just wish we had more runners today," said the Newmarket trainer. "I was lucky enough to have a winner at Musselburgh in the first leg of the series and a winner today is fantastic.

"It's good for owners to compete for good prize-money, it makes a big difference. The first thing the owner said was: 'Finally, we've won a valuable race!' I know it's a Class 4, but it means a lot to pick up decent money."

Of Silver Gunn, who was making it three wins from his last five runs, Botti said: "He was travelling throughout and Dylan said he probably got there too soon, but he does stay well and I thought he'd keep going to the line. We've dropped him back to a mile and a quarter because he can be keen in his races, but he has the stamina."

The Sunday Series concludes at Haydock on September 12.

Results, replays and analysis

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The Front Runner is our latest email newsletter available exclusively to Members' Club Ultimate subscribers. Chris Cook, a three-time Racing Reporter of the Year award winner, provides his take on the day's biggest stories and tips for the upcoming racing every morning from Monday to Friday