'I thought I was gone' - nothing Routine about brilliant Sean Flanagan recovery

Saturday: Navan

Given it happened just minutes before the epic Ascot showdown and got a bit lost amidst the Clarence House commotion, you might not have seen Sean Flanagan's remarkable recovery on Routine Excellence yet. Try watch the replay if you can at all, it was a stunning sit.

The strongly-supported 5-6 favourite got in far too close to the 11th fence in the 3m handicap chase and landed steeply. He then slithered on landing at the other side and pitched Flanagan forward on to his neck, but the pair somehow managed to retain their partnership despite gravity's best efforts and went on to land the spoils in decisive fashion.

Watch the replay of Sean Flanagan's stunning recovery at Navan

Routine Excellence, as the betting suggested, must have been a very well-handicapped horse off 88 to win in the manner he did and Flanagan admitted afterwards that he thought it was game over.

The winning jockey said: "I thought I was gone but, to be fair to the horse, he didn't do anything really bad. He's gone down to the fence and met it a bit deep. He ended up on top of it and then just slipped at the back of it. I couldn't believe I stayed on him. He stayed straight so that helped me. Once a horse stays straight you always have a chance."

Bolger uncorks Champagne

For almost every yard of the 3m beginners' chase it looked like Galopin Des Champs' glorious chasing debut was going to be well and truly franked by runner-up Ain't That A Shame, but the 5-4 favourite was collared in the final stride by the rejuvenated Champagne Platinum.

Champagne Platinum (Mark Walsh) with connections after his win at NavanCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Ain't That A Shame hit a low of 1.03 in-running but Mark Walsh timed his challenge to perfection on Champagne Platinum for Enda Bolger.

The winning trainer said: "He's a talented horse, it's just that he lost his way a bit. We are probably going to go to Punchestown for the cross-country and we'll see then after that what way we go.

"He was very cautious with his jumping but one thing about him is he has an engine and he stayed on. On paper it looked a nice enough beginners' and I'm chuffed with him.

Big footsteps

The opening rated novice hurdle has some roll of honour with Sublimity, Sir Des Champs, Un De Sceaux and Galvin on the list and Banbridge added his name to that illustrious group with a decisive success under JJ Slevin.

Joseph O'Brien's assistant trainer Brendan Powell said: "It was a nice performance for a horse that really wants further. I just thought that they might do him for a bit of toe but he's very tough and he jumped well up the straight. He wouldn't want it any softer than that. Next year he could be an exciting chaser."

Form franked

Joyeux Machin enhanced the reputation of Facile Vega by overcoming trouble up the home straight to land the concluding bumper for Paul Nolan and Barry O'Neill.

He was beaten six lengths by the Champion Bumper second favourite at Leopardstown over Christmas but was a long way clear of the third there and confirmed that promise with a stylish success. He could be Cheltenham bound now.

Nolan said: "This fella is a very relaxed, very easy individual. Nothing bothers him. Hopefully he stays in one piece. We'll have a talk now with the owners but he'll get an entry at Cheltenham."

Winning newcomer

Gordon Elliott won both divisions of the 2m4f maiden hurdle with Ash Tree Meadow and the newcomer Jaycean, who was bred by RTE and RTV pundit Jane Mangan.

Gainford suspension

Jordan Gainford was suspended for ten days after the stewards found him in breach of rule 212 for his ride on Gino Drummer Boy in the second division of the 2m4f maiden hurdle. The horse, who finished tenth to stablemate Ash Tree Meadow at 66-1, was suspended for 42 days.

Results, replays and analysis

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