Miracle horse Edwulf causes 33-1 upset in a contest full of drama

Edwulf, who nearly lost his life at last season's Cheltenham Festival, produced a fairytale performance to claim the Unibet Irish Gold Cup at odds of 33-1.

Trained by Joseph O'Brien for J P McManus and ridden by top amateur Derek O'Connor, Edwulf, who was backed down from 66-1, battled tenaciously on the run-in to overhaul track specialist Outlander, who looked set to cash in on Killultagh Vic's fall while leading at the final fence.

In a race full of drama, Edwulf approached the last in third place but finished strongly to beat Outlander by a neck with long-time leader Djakadam sticking on for third, ten lengths back.

At Cheltenham in March Edwulf collapsed after the final fence in the National Hunt Chase and there were genuine fears that he might die.

Recalling that day after yesterday's race O'Brien, enjoying his first Grade 1 success with a chaser, said: "Edwulf ran out of oxygen and collapsed. He was on the ground for about an hour and a half and it didn't look good, but the racecourse vets, who did a terrific job, encouraged us that he might recover.

"He was in Cheltenham for two weeks before he came home and I can't stress enough the job the vets did and how well he was looked after at Martinstown Stud over the summer. My own staff also deserve a lot of credit.

"We started him back at Christmas when he just got tired after being off for so long. It's an unbelievable result."

Edwulf is 20-1 (from 66-1) with Ladbrokes for the Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup and 25-1 (from 66-1) with BoyleSports.

"After winning today's race I'd imagine he'll take his chance at Cheltenham but we'll wait and see how he comes out of today's race," O'Brien said.

O'Connor, the first amateur to win the race and who rode Edwulf at Cheltenham, said: "When you think about what was going through our heads at the back of the last fence at Cheltenham, it's incredible to think that Edwulf has come back and won a Grade 1. It looked as if he would never race again.

"It's been an incredible training performance by Joseph."

O'Connor is overjoyed with his mount following their shock victoryCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Gordon Elliott said of runner-up Outlander: "He's shown again how much he likes Leopardstown and has run another smashing race here. I'd imagine he'll take his chance in the Gold Cup - there's really nothing else for him at Cheltenham."

Willie Mullins said of third placed Djakadam: "That was a lot better than his run here at Christmas. There are no definite plans for him, though."

Killultagh Vic, running over fences for only the third time, appeared none the worse for his last-fence fall. But his rider Paul Townend was not so lucky and was taken to hospital for x-rays on a suspected foot fracture.

Mullins said about Killultagh Vic: "He was down for a while but he got up and walked away. He was running a big race and we'll see how he comes out of it before making plans."

Minella Rocco was out of contention when he, too, fell at the final fence.

Our Duke, who was backed into 9-4 favourite, followed Djakadam for most of the race and was getting into contention when making a jolting mistake at the second-last.

He finished fourth but both trainer Jessica Harrington and rider Robbie Power were hugely encouraged by his performance. Harrington said: "He was a bit ring rusty as in real terms it was his first run of the season as he wasn't right at Down Royal. Robbie gave him a breather after the mistake but the horse stayed on well from the back of the last fence. There should be a lot of improvement to come."

Power said: "He had jumped very well and I thought we had a serious chance going to the second last. The mistake put paid to any chance of winning, but I was very happy with his performance and he went to the line well. He should come on a ton from the race."

Full result

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