Southwell: Middleham Park to consider appeal as stewards reverse placings in photo-finish

Middleham Park are considering an appeal of the stewards' decision to demote the syndicate's Brave Emperor to second in the mile handicap for interference with Mohatu.

The Tom Marquand-ridden Mohatu was featuring in a second stewards' inquiry in 12 days but this time with a more a favourable verdict. 

Qatar Racing's three-year-old, who had his path blocked when second at Lingfield earlier this month, was bumped at the finish as Brave Emperor and Luke Morris veered to the right in the closing stages, with only a nose separating the two at the line.

Brave Emperor's owners Middleham Park will take another look at the race and seek advice as to whether to appeal the result, and spokesman Tom Palin said: "We're going to let the dust settle and see what we think. We might appeal, we're considering it."

The eventual second produced a fine run considering he was giving a stone to Mohatu, and will make the step up to Listed company next, with connections targeting a valuable prize in Cagnes-sur-Mer on February 12.

"We came here to see if we'd be competitive off 91 and he proved all of that," added Palin. "We haven't lost anything in defeat and we'll still go to a Listed race. He was first past the post and probably the moral winner of the race. He'll take us to those big Saturday races like the Britannia at Royal Ascot." 

There was some compensation on the day for Middleham Park as the Roger Fell-trained Ustath won the closing 5f classified stakes.

Read more:

Thyestes Chase: 'A huge performance' - Mullins hails Townend after Carefully Selected lands thriller 

Gowran Park: Willie Mullins nominates Sir Gerhard's likely Cheltenham target after chase debut win 

Members' Club special offer: get exclusive tips and insight FREE for one month 

Sign up to receive The Ante-Postman, Robbie Wilders' top weekly newsletter. Get weekend tips, festival fancies and big-race selections delivered straight to your inbox.