Reliving the RSA: how Champ defied reality to surge past Minella Indo and Allaho

Just when you thought you had seen it all at the Cheltenham Festival, Champ, the horse who divides opinion like no other, produced an outrageous performance to justify favouritism in the RSA Chase.

Astonishing Champ posts miraculous RSA victory after hitting 399-1 in running

It was a Tyson Fury-like performance as Champ looked out for the count on the home turn as front-running pair Allaho and Minella Indo drew clear in their private scrap.

Minella Indo and Allaho appeared to have the RSA Chase between them approaching the final fenceCredit: Rtv

A similar margin from the front two to Champ remained after the last, despite poor jumps by Allaho and Minella IndoCredit: Rtv

However, Champ pulled himself off the canvas after the last to defy a Betfair in-running high of 399-1, helped by his two rivals who both breasted the last to lose vital momentum as they faced the uphill run to the line.

Allaho, sent off 5-2 favourite to give owners Cheveley Park Stud a double after Envoi Allen's opening-race win, gamely came back at Minella Indo, who had hit a low of 1.06 on Betfair, but all the time Geraghty was gathering a response from Champ, who had flown the last.

Champ began to close in on the front two on the run-in, with Minella Indo hangingCredit: Rtv

Champ surges through the gap between Minella Indo and Allaho to take the lead in the final stridesCredit: Rtv

Social media went into meltdown and racegoers in the grandstands could have hardly believe what they had seen from Champ.

Many had memories of Sir AP McCoy's never-say-die festival ride in the same JP McManus colours on Wichita Lineman in what is now the Ultima 11 years ago.

Read more on a captivating RSA:

Astonishing Champ posts miraculous RSA victory after hitting 399-1 in running

Champ's wonder horserace leaves McCoys senior and junior beaming with joy

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