Smith's contract terminated

Racecourse judge Dave Smith didn't have long to wait for the outcome of a BHA inquiry into the circumstances behind the controversial contest at Kempton last week in which a dead-heat was incorrectly called.

On Tuesday, The British Horseracing Authority amended the result of a contest in which even-money favourite Extra Noble and Fire Fighting (16/1) were very quickly deemed to have shared the spoils by Smith, giving Extra Noble the verdict.

And only 24 hours later a statement from the BHA emerged confirming that former commentator Smith, who had been working on a freelance basis, had had his contract terminated by the authority. Smith said he was "gutted" at the outcome.

"The British Horseracing Authority has established that Standard Operating Procedures were not followed, and has today informed Dave Smith that it has terminated its contract of services with him," said the statement.

"Dave Smith will no longer act as a judge at British racecourses, but BHA acknowledges his contribution and service over the last 13 years."

Smith responded: "Gutted is the only word really. I don't think I deserve what they are doing to me. There was only one incident they looked at and it's not ideal. I've done nothing wrong as far as I'm concerned."

Bookmakers Sky Bet, Stan James, Paddy Power and William Hill had all already agreed to pay out in full on all single bets on Extra Noble after he was declared the winner.