Drama after final fence as 1-6 favourite Shantou Flyer unseats rider
Pub-owning amateur jockey Charlie O’Shea and his mount Keltus took full advantage of a dramatic conclusion to the 3m1f hunter chase, which saw the 1-6 favourite Shantou Flyer unseat David Maxwell when two lengths clear after jumping the last.
Third in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham, the Paul Nicholls-trained Shantou Flyer had streaked ahead with a circuit to go but was involved in an engaging duel with Keltus when he began hanging left after jumping the last.
Maxwell was subsequently unshipped in unceremonious and almost slow-motion style, leaving the 16-1 challenger to stroll across the line 21 lengths clear of Minella Daddy.
O’Shea told Racing TV: "When we were coming back to him I kept thinking, 'We’re not out of it yet'. You don’t want to win like that but I tell you what, I’ll take it."
How the incident unfolded
“When he came past me I thought that was it and I thought I’ll never get there, but my lad just kept on staying and he could have gone around again.
"I’m a proper amateur and big thanks to my in-laws, they own the horse, so without them I wouldn’t have been riding today. Big thanks to Jeremy [Scott, trainer] because he puts up with a lot of crap with me."
O'Shea added: "I own a pub in north Devon but with furlough I’ve been riding out loads and really enjoying it. I ride in quite a lot of military races but to get these opportunities at these tracks is unbelievable."
Terrific treble
Paul Nicholls and Lorcan Williams enjoyed a highly fruitful day as they combined for a treble after victories for Montys Medoc in the 2m4f handicap hurdle, Get The Appeal in the 2m5½f handicap hurdle and Le Chiffre D'Or in the bumper.
With under a week remaining of the jumps campaign, Nicholls moved on to 166 winners, just six away from a record-breaking season for the trainer.
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Published on 18 April 2021inReports
Last updated 16:37, 18 April 2021
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