Rod Millman delight after Weatherbys Super Sprint win at Newbury Racecourse

Anthelia pulled off an impressive victory on Saturday, winning the Weatherbys Super Sprint at Newbury Racecourse from odds of 6-1.

The joint second favourite was looking good with two furlongs to go, but favourite Havana Hurricane burst onto the scene in the final part of the race to make it a close finish.

In real time the pair appeared to finish neck and neck, with the official result having to go to a photo finish.

The slow motion footage revealed a conclusive win for the Rod Millman trained horse, upsetting Eve Johnson Houghton's market leader.

“She’s a good filly,” Millman told reporters post-race.

“And she’s beaten a very good horse in second too.

“This is a wonderful race, for any trainer really!

“But especially for smaller trainers.

“It kept me in business when I was struggling many years ago.

“People then started to send me horses and we’ve been solvent ever since!”

Millman had targeted the Super Sprint, a race known for providing opportunities for smaller-scale operations such as his Devon-based yard.

“We always try and have a nice horse in this one,” he said.

“I’ve spent a lot of money on entry fees, but the problem is that you have to enter them before you know how good they are.

“If you’re lucky enough to have the right horse then it’s a great race.

“And even if you don’t win, the owners get a great day out coming here.”

Saturday boasted a seven-race card before Ella Henderson and Sophie Ellis-Bextor.

There was a win for Owen Burrows in the first race of the day, as Royal Dubai won the BetVictor Steventon Stakes from odds of 10-1.

Next up was the Back The Super Boost At BetVictor Handicap, which consisted of just four horses.

Andrew Balding’s Wild Waves held joint-favourite status, but it was Almuhit who took the win for Faye Bramley at 9/2.

The Hallgarten And Novum Wines Hackwood Stakes produced a winner for Houghton in the form of Rage Of Bamby.

This was a 100th winner for Hot To Trot Racing, an ownership syndicate who brought almost 30 co-owners onto the podium to celebrate.

Consent took the Darley EBF Fillies' Novice Stakes for Sir Mark Prescott, before Ralph Beckett’s Egoli won the Novice Stakes at 4:45.

William Buick rode Bela Sonata to the win in the final race of the day, wrapping up a day of racing tormented by intermittent but heavy rainfall.