Placings controversially reversed in Down Royal’s finale There was a controversial conclusion to Down Royal’s concluding Laura Nicholas Memorial Handicap (Div II) today, with Bamako being unexpectedly promoted to winner following a lengthy stewards’ enquiry. Purring Along , under Ronan Whelan, appeared to comfortably win and passed the line 1.25 lengths ahead of Bamako and while an enquiry was called, many observers were initially caught-out by that decision. While many focussed on ‘non-incidents’ in the final furlong, the stewards later reversed the placings due to interference suffered by Bamako after halfway in the race, which was caused by Purring Along . Held up in rear until the three-furlong pole, Purring Along then attempted to progress when he bumped - or barged, his way out of a pocket on three occasions. The incidents caused eventual-third Saxon Kingdom to then collide with promoted-winner Bamako with the stewards taking unusual, but not unprecedented, measures in reversing the decision. Bamako’s (100/30f) jockey Billy Lee was thus completing a double on the day, to add to an impressive pair of Royal Ascot wins this week, while winning trainer Andy Oliver also owns the 55-rated gelding.
