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

David Williams, Ladbrokes’ PR supremo, said: “It will cost us a bit, as Deserted Dane was 

6-1 and there was no ‘Rule Four’.

“But it was a tragic set of circumstances and I believe it is definitely the right thing to do.”