'Not a dry eye in the house' - 40-1 outsider provides poignant success

The 40-1 outsider Hills Of Connemara sprang a huge shock in the 2m7½f handicap chase at Newcastle to provide a poignant success for the family of late owner Fred Chapman, who passed away from cancer two weeks ago.

Trainer Susan Corbett – who saddled a remarkable 778-1 double on the day – had to show tremendous patience with the eight-year-old mare, who was forced off the track for 885 days after two tendon injuries before pulling up at Hexham on her return in October.

But on just her second start over fences, Hills Of Connemara, ridden by Sam Coltherd, raced seven and a half lengths clear of Scottish Accent to the delight of Chapman's family, who were watching from home.

Corbett said: "It's absolutely brilliant. We lost the fight against time to run the horse again while Fred was still with us. The horse winning today is a fitting tribute to him and all the time he spent as an owner.

"I've spoken to the family and they're all absolutely delighted – there's not a dry eye in the house. They've had a hard task with Fred being ill but they're absolutely delighted that the horse came good today."

Corbett added of Hills Of Connemara: "It's something we've been working on literally for years. We gave her all the time in the world, let her strengthen up, and now she's doing what she should have done two years ago."

An emotional day for Corbett was capped by 18-1 chance Andante's all-the-way victory in the bumper to complete a sensational double.

Gamble lands

A change of tactics was crucial for the Nick Alexander-trained Dubai Days, who was backed into 7-2 (from 9 the previous evening) before duly obliging in the 2m handicap hurdle.

Dubai Days: winner at Newcastle having been backed into 7-2 (from 9)Credit: Grossick Racing

The six-year-old had been beaten a combined 72 lengths on his previous two starts having attempted to make the running, but on this occasion was held up by Bruce Lynn before hitting the front two out and comfortably seeing off his opposition.

Results, replays and analysis

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