If The Cap Fits denies Roksana and Apple's Jade in thrilling Stayers Hurdle

A head and a neck, that was all that was in it in the end.

The gap at the line was not much bigger than the one If The Cap Fits somehow managed to force his way through as he came between Roksana and Apple's Jade on a thrilling run to the line that gave all three sets of connections a concoction of emotions that was equal parts hope and anxiety.

After almost three miles and the final of 13 hurdles in the Ryanair Stayers Hurdle, the odds-on favourite Apple's Jade led. With little more than a furlong left If The Cap Fits appeared to have blundered away his chance, and Roksana, who had picked up the pieces when Benie Des Dieux fell at Cheltenham, served it up to jumping's most dominant mare.

But as the two came together to do battle If The Cap Fits, who was giving them both 7lb on his first start at the trip, stuck his head between the two and refused to be ruled out. In the final 12 strides all three horses led and no sooner had Roksana overhauled Apple's Jade than If The Cap Fits powered past to give Sean Bowen a first Grade 1 win.

"Sorry Dan," said a sheepish Harry Fry to his former colleague Skelton as the two former Paul Nicholls assistants shared a handshake when all was said and done.

If Skelton was devastated, and he must have been given how much he loves to win and how close to the line his tenacious mare was in front, he did not show it and conceded: "You'd have been an unlucky loser if you hadn't got up."

If The Cap Fits: on his way to victoryCredit: Grossick Racing 07710461723

It was a fight fought as fairly on the course as it was handled afterwards and it only made the finish all the more compelling for it. Races like this lift a place. When it seems like just about everyone around the joint believes they are in with a chance, Aintree can almost levitate.

One man who was absolutely flying was Paul Rooney, who had landed at the course no more than 20 minutes before the off, and while his body had come down to ground level his spirits were still sky high.

"That was great, bloody marvellous," said the positively bouncing owner. "When he was sandwiched I thought there wouldn't be enough petrol in the tank, but he stuck his head out and he just pulled it out the fire. What a day!"

Harry Skelton, who rode the runner-up, said: "What a race! Three good horses, battling it out on the best day of the year and people should enjoy that – it's what racing is all about and I'm glad to be part of it. That's what we're here for. She's run a career best and really backed up her run at Cheltenham."

Owner Michael O'Leary, who was unable to win the race he sponsors, said of Apple's Jade: "It's always disappointing to get beaten, but it was a lot better run than at Cheltenham. She was jumping right and maybe that cost her, she was headed and battled back well – I struggle to win these Ryanairs!"

If The Cap Fits is now around a 12-1 chance for next season's Stayers' Hurdle at Cheltenham and asked whether he could go over fences next season Rooney added: "We'll talk to the trainer and Jason [Maguire, racing manager] and do what's best for the horse. Their welfare is everything."

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