If Sandown judge Dave Smith had been around during the golden age of the British Navy, he would have walked into the job of manning Horatio Nelson's crow's nest.

Three horses passed the post inseparable to the naked eye at the conclusion of the Maiden Auction Stakes yesterday. As punters scratched their heads as to the outcome, "Judge Smudge", armed with at least 20-20 vision, confidently announced the Brian Meehan-trained La Paola as the winner.

Minutes later the photo-finish equipment confirmed the filly had indeed beaten 11-4 joint-favourite Calcavella by a short head, with a similar distance to Golconda.

When asked if he had taken leave of his senses in calling such a close finish, Smith, also well known as a racecourse commentator, replied: "I thought she had won by further - I thought she had won a head - but I knew she had won."

La Paola, who made all, was returned at 50 to 1 and paid a massive dividend of £362.20 on the Tote, which both her lass, Amanda Meakins (£1 eachway), and owner, Peppino Battocchi (£3 each-way), availed themselves of.

Chris Rutter, successful on La Paola, completed a double when Shining Dancer won the concluding Levy Board Handicap Stakes.

Smart Savannah will bid to emulate stable-companion Tamarisk after getting off the mark at the second attempt in the European Breeders Fund Novice Stakes. Roger Charlton's Primo Dominie colt, third to Crown of Trees at Kempton on his debut four weeks ago, sprang at the furlong pole to beat Diggit by three and a half lengths.

The winner is now set for the Tattersalls Houghton Sales Conditions Stakes at Newmarket on September 29th, which subsequent Haydock Group One winner Tamarisk, sold this week to the Coolmore Stud, won in 1997.

Grangeville, beaten at odds-on in an Epsom maiden last month, atoned with a 14 to 1 win under top-weight in the Weatherbys Services Handicap.