Owen Burrows' Raqiya was promoted to first in the stewards' room after a lengthy enquiry with Roger Varian's Jabaara.

Brian Meehan's well-backed Kathmandu cut out much of the early running with Breege, but it quickly became apparent that they were going to struggle to keep up the gallop, as Jabaara breezed into contention under a confident-looking James Doyle, who landed the opening contest on French Duke.

However, in moving to the front, Doyle's mount lugged right-handed and caused Jim Crowley to briefly check on Raqiya. The Shadwell-owned daughter of Blue Point rallied gamely under pressure but found herself a head down crossing the line.

Both riders were subsequently interviewed and after a lengthy deliberation, the stewards' made the decision to revise the placings. Raqiya returned the 7/1 winner, with Roger Varian's 5/2 market leader Jabaara subsequently placed back in second.

"Roger is one of my best mates and it is never nice to win one like that," said Burrows in the aftermath of the result. "Jim felt if we had had a clear run we would have won and watching it a few times on the big screen we probably felt we would have been an unlucky loser but that is the way it goes here sometimes.

"It was there for all to see. It would have been a bit gutting not to get it. The most positive thing even if we didn't get it is that we learned seven furlongs on fast ground is her bag. That was a big positive to take out of it."

Jim Crowley was also of the view that his filly would have won with a clear run.

He said: "I've had to wait until the cutaway and my filly is picking up. We've got the rail to run against and we've got plenty of clear room to go. The horse in front has just shifted across her and I've had to switch. I think she's lost a bit of momentum, I've had to check, and then obviously she has stayed on again. I feel that, if that hadn't happened, she probably would have won.

"I stopped for about three strides. There's no question we have had to stop. Four strides, easily, and then you have lost your momentum. She's made up a length and a half. With a clear run and, without losing her momentum, she would have won."

Gracious in defeat, Roger Varian commented: "I've only seen the race once and I don't want to comment on the interference or the stewards' decision - they have had the luxury of watching it many more times and from more angles than we have, and they have come to that decision, and we have to congratulate the winner.

"It's a shame, I think our filly was on top for most of the race, and maybe she just threw it away. I don't know what else to say - she ran well."