Lucy Wadham upset as odds-on favourite is withdrawn before trotting up sound

Sunday: Fakenham

Lucy Wadham was dismayed after 1-3 favourite Code Name Lise was withdrawn at the start of the mares' maiden hurdle by on-course vets for being lame but was subsequently reported to be sound.

The trainer has lodged an official complaint with the stewards after the five-year-old mare was re-examined and reported to be fine.

A visibly upset Wadham told Sky Sports Racing: "The vet down at the start was the only person who thought she was lame. He didn’t give any reason for trotting her up and down, Bryony [Frost, jockey] felt she was fine and we could see she was fine on the big screen."

A senior vet reportedly made his way down to the start, and the trainer added: "When the main man [senior vet] got down to the start he thought she was fine, but it was too late to reinstate her."

There was even more drama in the race, which became a match and was won by the Emma Lavelle-trained Shiroccy Road, who was a surprise winner under Ben Jones from 1-7 favourite Cool Stone.

Wadham added: "Code Name Lise is absolutely fine. Three vets have looked at her in the stabling yard and she's sound as a pound. She was the odds-on favourite in a three-horse race – it needs looking at. I’m very frustrated somebody has the power to do that."

Frost was similarly sceptical and said: "The rules need to be looked at. In the future, if the jockey says she’s sound and the vet says she's not, a third party should get involved."

The afternoon improved for Wadham and Frost when Admiral Barratry landed the 2m5f handicap chase by 16 lengths.

Results, replays and analysis

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