Navello took advantage of the perfect run up the Epsom straight to prevail in a thrilling finish to the Aston Martin “Dash” Handicap.

Trained by George Boughey, the four-year-old was a 25-1 chance for the race billed as the fastest five-furlong race in the world despite scoring at Thirsk only two starts ago.

Andrea Atzeni always had his mount travelling strongly tracking the typically strong pace set by those at the head of proceedings and the gaps opened up at the right time, allowing the Italian rider to steer his mount into the ideal spot to mount a challenge inside the final furlong.

In contrast, Clifford Lee had to bide his time aboard runner-up Silky Wilky as he saw his progress repeatedly stunted as the race developed and although flashing home to force a photo finish, it was not enough to stop Navello registering a short-head success ahead of the Middleham Park Racing-owned duo of Silky Wilky (second) and Clarendon House (third).

Boughey said: “ This has been a bit of a long-term plan. He likes fast ground and he is improving. The strong pace really does suit him, but he’s hit the line well. He doesn’t quite get six, but he gets a stiff five and you can’t get much stiffer than here.

“Andrea felt the whole way through he was the best horse, although he couldn’t see what was coming up the rail. It was a nervy last minute, but good all the same.

“There is nothing really for him at Ascot, but he could go to Goodwood – a similar fast five.”

In the aftermath of the race it was discovered that stalls 16-20 had opened fractionally later than the rest of the field, which goes someway to explaining the disappointing showing from unplaced 6-1 favourite Live In The Moment, who was drawn in stall 20.

Trainer Alice Haynes was called to the stewards’ room to explain the run following the race and was left disappointed on finding out her charge’s chance had been compromised.

She said: ““Head-on we thought we had missed the break. Then I got a couple of pictures sent through to me and the stewards called me in to ask me about the disappointing run.

“It was very clear that stalls 16 to 20 broke fractionally slower, due to the gates not opening as quick. The stewards said that the horse in gate 14 (Alligator Alley) caused the gates to do that (by hitting the stall and triggering the stalls) and it didn’t gain an advantage by doing that – and that was the end of it really.

“It is frustrating for the team and everyone. It is one of the fastest five furlongs there is and we have got a natural front runner. The horse pecked jumping out. I can understand why and Kieran (O’Neill) lost an iron. These sprinters are racehorses geared up for the job – doing five furlongs in less than 54 seconds. You are meant to have the golden highway, drawn high with the best draw and we could not gain an advantage of that because the gates broke slower.

“Nothing can be done now. The race can’t be void or anything like that. In future something else should be looked into for this in support of the rest of the horses who have been caused the disadvantage.”