But after studying video recordings of the race they allowed the placings to remain unaltered, much to the delight of Anna Pavlova’s owners, the 12-strong Galaxy Racing Partnership.

Richard Fahey’s filly hit the front approaching the final furlong, with Jamie Spencer challenging on Sir Gerard between her and Kalankari.

But there was little room for Spencer’s mount and he switched to the outside just as Anna Pavlova appeared to be getting the better of the argument.

Sir Gerard finished strongly but the Hanagan-ridden 4-1 shot had got first run and held on to score by a neck, with another one and a quarter lengths back to Kalankari.

After the result was confirmed, Fahey said: “She’s just pricked her ears when she’s hit the front but I’m delighted with that.

“I actually think she wants further than this mile believe it or not. She is in the Irish Oaks and it’s not beyond thinking she might head there.

“There’s a mile-and-a-quarter race at Epsom next Saturday – this was probably a bit hard on her – she might go for, we’ll see how she is.

“I’m not so sure she wants the ground this soft. She’s a real good-moving filly and I nearly took her out at York last time because of the soft ground.

“We’ve always thought a lot of her and she’s never run a bad race.”

Peppertree Lane, the heavily-backed 13-8 favourite, finished a disappointing fifth of the seven runners.

Fahey and Hanagan doubled up at odds of 74-1 when they combined with Dark Charm in the Option Hygiene Handicap.

The 14-1 chance kept on strongly to account for Wizard Of Us by two lengths.

Hanagan’s three-timer was completed when he swept by Spencer on Spritza to take the EBF Casino 36 Classic Maiden Fillies’ Stakes on the Kevin Ryan-trained Tender Moments.

Hanagan, who comes from Warrington, said: “It’s been a great day at my local track. I only come from 20 minutes down the road and this was the first track I went to. So to get a treble here and to win the big race is fantastic.

“It couldn’t be any better.”

Just minutes after winning the Victoria Cup at Ascot with Partners In Jazz, Thirsk trainer David Barron secured an across-the-card double with Skhilling Spirit in the West Properties Sandy Lane Stakes.

The 3-1 favourite looked to be struggling with Spencer hard at work in the early stages of the six-furlong Listed contest.

But the champion jockey’s perseverance eventually paid off and Skhilling Spirit picked up well to nail long-time leader Guto close home and land the spoils by a neck.

“I was flat out and then he came good and he galloped all the way to the line,” Spencer said after dismounting.

“I was pretty confident I’d get there from the furlong pole because essentially he’s a seven-furlong horse and his stamina was always going to come into play.”

Spencer was seen to good effect again when he got Arbella home by the same margin in the EBF Joan Westbrook Pinnacle Stakes to complete a 21-1 double.

Walter Swinburn’s filly looked held when overtaken by Aunt Julia three furlongs from home but Spencer, riding at the top of his game, never gave up and the 9-2 chance rallied gamely to gain the day.

The winner had run well to take third in the Ormonde Stakes at Chester on her previous start to give connections some confidence for this Listed contest.

Swinburn was represented by his father-in-law Peter Harris, who said: “She was placed in a Group Three on heavy at Chester last time so we knew she’d handle the going.

“She’s a very genuine filly and she was as fit as we could get her. We’ve nothing particular in mind for her because this was the plan.

“I bred her and her dam and will breed off her eventually.”

Prince Namid revelled in the testing conditions to prevail in a tight finish to the Rectangle Group Handicap.

Tom Queally produced the 6-1 shot to lead just over a furlong out and despite being strongly pressed on either side by Stoneacre Lad and Bond Boy, held on by half a length and the same.

“Tom thought he could win it hands and heels but the horse started half pulling up with him so he thought he’d better get after him,” said trainer Ann Duffield.

“I’m glad we came here today because he’s a horse who needs soft ground and it’s a good prize to win, nearly 20 grand.

“An entry went in this morning for Sandown on Thursday evening and it’s a possibility he could run there because he’s tough and takes his racing well.”