Jimmy Fortune and Sleeping Indian (5-1) looked to have held on in a tight photo-finish and even Babodana’s rider Darryll Holland admitted straight afterwards: “I was always second – I’m surprised I’ve got it.”

But the stewards then decreed that Babodana had carried Sleeping Indian right and they reversed the short-head verdict, giving the race to John Gosden’s charge, even though the horses did not seem to make contact.

“Everyone thought we’d won, including both jockeys. I was standing on the line and thought we’d won,” said Gosden. “It is one of those weird ones and who knows, it could all end up in Portman Square.

“But he is a nice horse and if he’d have got out properly, he’d have won by two lengths.”

Tompkins, who said he will “seek a deserved Group race” for Babodana next season, was fuming at the reversal of the placings.

He said: “We will definitely appeal. The stewards have definitely got it wrong.”

Holland and Fortune were both given two-day careless riding bans (November 10 and 12), the former for allowing his mount to drift away from the whip, and the latter for causing earlier interference to the unplaced Funfair.

Squaw Dance put another feather in the cap of trainer William Haggas when the 16-1 chance stole the Best Bet John 0800 587 7086 EBF Montrose Fillies’ Stakes, sparking a double for Paul Hanagan.

Drawn widest of the eight runners in the mile Listed event, Hanagan quickly made a move to the stands rail and dictated matters throughout, recording a length-and-a-half victory over evens favourite Something Exciting.

“That was a great ride,” said local trainer Haggas. “This filly loves the soft ground and stays well.”

When asked about future plans, he added: “To quote Ryan Price, that was the plan! We’ve got some black type into her and anything else is a bonus. We’re thrilled to bits.”

Hanagan completed the brace in similar fashion, breaking from stall nine and grabbing the rail aboard the David Barron-trained Zero Tolerance in the Best Bet John 0800 587 7086 Mile Handicap.

The 9-1 shot was always at the head of affairs thereafter and had three-quarters of a length to spare from the fast-finishing Impeller.

Ayam Zaman looks a stayer of potential after recording a runaway five-length success in the Listed William Claridge Memorial Zetland Stakes under Philip Robinson.

Trainer Michael Jarvis was concerned the Montjeu juvenile would not handle the underfoot conditions, but when asked to quicken with two and a half of the 10 furlongs remaining, the 3-1 chance shot clear of Fantasy Ride.

“I am very pleased. I was worried about the ground,” admitted Jarvis. “She ran on quicker ground last time and you are never quite sure.

“She is a light-framed filly. There is not much of her, but she appears to have stamina in abundance. She’ll be a nice staying filly for next year.”

But it was not a good race for Ted Durcan, who was handed a two-day careless riding ban (November 10 and 12) after his mount Sunday Symphony caused interference when drifting left.

Durcan, who flew in from Dubai after riding a winner at Nad Al Sheba on Thursday, later gained compensation when Godolphin newcomer Centaurus (3-1) took the European Breeders Fund Maiden Stakes in style, beating Master Of The Race by a length and a quarter.

Very few got into the seven-furlong event and the front pair look certain to go on to better things.

Durcan said: “It rode like a very good race and he will be a very nice horse next year.”

Godolphin assistant William Balding added: “He looks a nice prospect and on pedigree, he will get the Derby trip. The idea was to get a run into him. He is still a big frame of a horse and he is still green.”

The Sir Michael Stoute-trained debutant Read Federica (14-1) produced a nice turn of foot to land the first division of the seven-furlong European Breeders’ Fund Maiden Fillies’ Stakes under Holland.

The strapping Fusaichi Pegasus filly swept past long-time leader Sharaby in the last 200 yards to record a neck success on ground she would not necessarily have appreciated.

Stoute’s assistant Owen Burrows said: “Darryll said she needs a mile and a quarter already. We are very pleased with that. She is a big baby and considering this ground, that was quite useful.”

The second division looked a stronger race and the Paul Cole-trained Song Thrush (20-1) recorded a quicker time in beating her 15 rivals by two and a half lengths under Seb Sanders, making all in isolation up the stands rail.

Owner Catherine Corbett said: “There are no big plans for her. We brought her here to see what would happen with regards to making future plans. I think the trainer has always thought quite highly of her.”