Pauls Hill powers home to score at Towcester after hitting 999-1

In-running carnage was racecourse presenter Matt Chapman's description of Pauls Hill's dramatic last-gasp victory for Paddy Brennan and Fergal O'Brien in the 2m5f novice hurdle.

The five-year-old, owned by The B Lucky Partnership, attracted £84 at 999-1 on the Betfair exchange during the race, in which 4-11 favourite Tommy Rapper appeared an almost certain winner for most of the home straight.

Expect the unexpected in horseracing though, and the Towcester crowd certainly sensed a thrilling finish was in store with Pauls Hill motoring home late on to deny the long odds-on market leader by a head.

O'Brien said: "I came here thinking he would finish third or fourth and run a nice race so it's fantastic to see him win.

"He stayed on really well and has a great will to win. He's a big three-mile chaser in the making so we'll take our time with him."

The victory came at a cost for Brennan, however, with the rider suspended on January 4-5 for misuse of the whip.