'Nobody saw it coming' - shock 66-1 winner among week's big winners

The Racing Post's awards will honour the best (and sometimes worst) performances and raise talking points from the last seven days of racing. This week's winners are

Performance of the week

A Plus Tard

The Betfair Chase was the week's big race and it certainly lived up to its billing, thanks to a magnificent effort from A Plus Tard.

The Gold Cup runner-up's jumping was impeccable and he gave Rachael Blackmore a super smooth first spin around Haydock.

The track specialist Bristol De Mai looked a shadow of his former self on ground that did not suit, Imperial Aura threatened before falling and Royale Pagaille bounced right back to his best. Yet it is was A Plus Tard who oozed quality to stretch clear up the straight for a comfortable win.

Moment of the week

Lostintranslation

The resurgence of Colin Tizzard's runners has been a theme of the early part of the season, but the victory of Lostintranslation in the Grade 2 chase at Ascot will have been particularly sweet.

The nine-year-old lost his way badly after finishing a mighty third in the 2020 Gold Cup, being pulled up on his latest start when returning to the Cheltenham Festival. But he was back to his best on Saturday at Ascot in his typical strong-travelling style, finishing powerfully to hold off Master Tommytucker.

Tizz sweet: Lostintranslation (yellow) beats Master Tommytucker to herald a welcome return to form for the Colin Tizzard stableCredit: Mark Cranham

Upset of the week

Mullacash Buzz

Tommy Dowling struck with his first runner when Mullacash Buzz scored at 66-1 at Dundalk on Friday night.

The three-year-old headed to the 7f handicap after being beaten out of sight in his previous three starts for Willie McCreery, but Dowling appears to have worked wonders, as Mullacash Buzz flew down the home straight to produce a shock. Surely nobody saw that coming.

Watch 66-1 win at Dundalk

Feelgood moment of the week

Lord Glitters

Everybody loves a grey, especially one we have seen develop from a top handicapper to a Queen Anne winner, and David O'Meara's stable star gave his fans and connections another memorable day in Bahrain.

Lord Glitters: winner of the Bahrain International TrophyCredit: Edward Whitaker

The eight-year-old charged home in the closing stages of the Group 3 Bahrain International Trophy to win more than £260,000 in prize-money.

Lord Glitters sparkles in Bahrain Trophy for David O'Meara and Jason Watson

Ride of the week

Tom Bellamy

Tom Bellamy was unseated on the way to post for the 2m3½f maiden hurdle at Chepstow on Friday, but despite being on the ground he kept one hand on Young Butler's rein to ensure the partnership started the race.

The effort was well worthwhile as the 5-6 favourite benefited from a slick, confident ride and powered up the straight to win by a length and a half.

'I wasn't letting go' – Tom Bellamy overcomes pre-race scare to win at Chepstow

Festival eyecatcher of the week

Springwell Bay

Springwell Bay announced himself a serious candidate for the Champion Bumper with an impressive success for Jonjo O'Neill at Market Rasen on Thursday.

Connections paid €155,000 for him after a promising second on his first start in Ireland, and he proved way too good for his nine rivals as he motored clear for a 14-length victory on his British debut.

Paddy Power introduced him at 14-1 for the Champion Bumper, making him the leading British-trained contender with that firm.

Market Rasen report: Boanas brings up her half century with 'old favourite' Teescomponents Lad

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