Britain’s biggest bookies join Skybet, Blue Square, Stan James and Betdirect in applying common sense in refunding stakes over a horse that died seconds after coming under starter’s orders.

David Williams, the firm’s Prince Charming and PR supremo, said: “It will cost us a princely sum as he was 6-1 and there was no Rule Four, “But it was a tragic set of circumstances and I believe it is the right thing to do.”