Simon Crisford admitted to feeling “slightly robbed” after Manxman lost out by just a nose in a controversial finish to the Cesarewitch at Newmarket on Saturday.

Alphonse Le Grande got the better of a real tussle at the end of the two-and-a-quarter-mile handicap contest, but replays showed his jockey, 3lb claimer Jamie Powell, had appeared to strike the gelding 10 times with his whip.

Jockeys are limited to six hits, with his four extra strikes raising the prospect of disqualification under the British Horseracing Authority’s rules.

The BHA confirmed on Saturday evening that the case had been referred to the Whip Review Committee, which will meet on Tuesday to consider Powell’s ride and possible sanction should he be found in breach.

Crisford, who trains in partnership with his son Ed, described himself as “fairly subdued” after missing out by a narrow margin in these particular circumstances.

He told Racing TV: “I wasn’t aware of the situation when I left the racetrack because I left straight afterwards, but then I had a phone call from Tony Hind, Ryan Moore’s agent, saying ‘listen, you’re going to win the race’. So I said ‘well, I’m halfway home so it’s a bit late to go back to the racetrack’.

“When all of the information came to hand, I felt fairly subdued to be honest.

“I felt particularly sorry for Ed because it’s such a famous race, historic, a great win if he had won. It’s a televised race, a big moment for our stable, so we felt slightly robbed.”

Since the whip rules were changed last year, there have only been two horses disqualified from race due to their jockeys breaching the rules.

Alphonse Le Grande is trained by Cathy O'Leary, sister of Tony Martin who is currently serving a suspension. Connections were involved in another controversial incident earlier in the year when the horse won the Northumberland Vase at Newcastle.

The presence of the suspended Tony Martin in the post-race celebrations attracted criticism, as did comments from O'Leary and winning jockey Hollie Doyle which suggested that Martin was still involved in the training of the horse.

Although Martin apologised for his actions the Referrals Panel of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board increased his suspension by two months. The ban is due to end on Wednesday, October 16th.

Jamie Powell was champion Irish apprentice in 2023 but has had a relatively quiet year this season. Winning the Cesarewitch would have given his career a welcome boost but it now seems likely that he will lose the race when the Whips Review Committee publishes its weekly findings on Tuesday.

The British Horseracing Authority has confirmed that Powell's ride has been referred to the Committee but a spokesman added that disqualification was not certain.

In a statement the BHA said: "The stewards counted that the whip was used 10 times, however this will need to be assessed by the WRC prior to a decision being made.

"It is extremely important to note that at this stage no offence has been committed and it should be highlighted that not all referrals from stewards result in a breach being found by the WRC.

"There have been several cases already since the new rules were implemented whereby a ride was referred and carried a potential disqualification but the WRC did not reach this outcome. For example, in some cases the WRC found that one or more of the perceived uses of the whip did not make contact with the horse.

"This referral will now be managed by the Whip Review Committee at their meeting on Tuesday."