Lah Ti Dar defeat in Fillies & Mares saves relieved layers 'tens of millions'

Bookmakers were spared a 'tens of millions' hammering on Saturday when Lah Ti Dar could finish only third behind Magical in the Fillies & Mares Stakes at Ascot.

She was the only one of a John Gosden-trained quartet of market leaders in the Group races who failed to win, with Stradivarius (evens), Roaring Lion (2-1) and Cracksman (5-6) all delivering for favourite backers.

Champions Day results

"John Gosden came into Champions Day with an incredibly strong team, and before a race had been run the fourfold on his quartet of favourites had been backed into 14-1 (from 20) with us, and that was before day-of-race punters got stuck into the accumulator," said Coral's David Stevens.

Coronet and Lah Ti Dar chase home MagicalCredit: Edward Whitaker

He added: "There was still plenty for punters to cheer, but with Sands Of Mali causing a mini-shock in the Sprint, this year's Champions Day can be called a score-draw."

William Hill punters were among those cheering, according to the firm's Rupert Adams.

"It's been a hard day in the office for the bookies, ending what has been a tough season for us," he said. "We can only thank our lucky stars that Lah Ti Dah did not deliver too."

Paddy Power's Paul Binfield added: "Magical pulled a rabbit out of the hat for the bookies as the Gosden four-timer would have cost the industry tens of millions."

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