'I thought it was all over' - in-running punters stung as 1.01 shot is collared
Saturday: Fontwell
Vorashann claimed the most unlikely of victories in the 2m3f handicap hurdle when he dramatically collared Highway One O Two in the final strides despite the leader being well clear over the final flight.
A total of £13,146 was matched at 1.01 on the Betfair Exchange in running on the 7-2 co-favourite, who looked home and hosed as he set off up the hill under Freddie Gordon with a ten-length lead.
He was quickly closed down by Vorashann, however, who got up by neck to deny him in astonishing fashion for his fourth course success.
Winning trainer Gary Moore said: "It all worked out well. If he'd have pulled him up at the bottom of the hill I wouldn't have been surprised. I thought the race was all over.
"He's kept on galloping and got some momentum coming to the second-last. The rest is history I suppose."
Moore described success as one of the "most unlikely" he had seen for some time and was quick to praise jockey Caoilin Quinn for keeping the six-year-old interested.
He added: "I'm pleased to get Caoilin [Quinn] his first winner for us. He's a good asset for the team."
How the incident unfolded
The in-running comments
Prominent, struggling after 6th, hard ridden after 3 out, headway before 2 out, soon went second, 10 lengths down last, kept on strongly run-in, led towards finish
Jumped right on occasions, led, not fluent 2nd, went clear from 3rd, went further clear after 3 out, reduced lead but 10 lengths ahead last, ridden run-in, headed towards finish
Positive outlook
Chris Gordon suffered heartbreak with Highway One O Two's narrow defeat but was quickly back on track when Who Is That won under Gavin Sheehan in the following race, the 2m3½f handicap chase.
It was the second leg of a double for the local trainer, who had already struck with the Tom Cannon-ridden Red Windsor in the 2m3f novice hurdle.
Useful prospect
Zacony Rebel got Toby Lawes off the mark for the season when he made the perfect start over fences in the 2m2f handicap chase under James Bowen.
Read this next:
'Incredible' Kyprios hangs all the way to stands – but still wins Cadran easily
Sign up to receive On The Nose, our essential daily newsletter, from the Racing Post. Your unmissable morning feed, direct to your email inbox every morning.
Published on 1 October 2022inReports
Last updated 17:54, 1 October 2022
- A week that has had a bit of everything but Willie Mullins is still managing to break his own records
- Punchestown: 'He really comes alive with these cross-country jumps' - veteran Singing Banjo wins La Touche duel at the age of 14
- Teahupoo completes Cheltenham-Punchestown double but Gordon Elliott yard suffers 'heartbreaking' loss of Sire Du Berlais
- Redcar: 'My horses have turned a corner' - Paborus gives Ed Bethell his second winner of the week
- Ayr: 'She's the one I fancied out of the whole yard' - Zebra Star seals unexpected double for Mike Smith
- A week that has had a bit of everything but Willie Mullins is still managing to break his own records
- Punchestown: 'He really comes alive with these cross-country jumps' - veteran Singing Banjo wins La Touche duel at the age of 14
- Teahupoo completes Cheltenham-Punchestown double but Gordon Elliott yard suffers 'heartbreaking' loss of Sire Du Berlais
- Redcar: 'My horses have turned a corner' - Paborus gives Ed Bethell his second winner of the week
- Ayr: 'She's the one I fancied out of the whole yard' - Zebra Star seals unexpected double for Mike Smith