'We're over the moon' – perfect plan pays off for The Shunter

Emmet Mullins and owner Paul Byrne's decision to "roll the dice" and come to Britain with progressive handicapper The Shunter paid off in extraordinary fashion as the seven-year-old marched to victory off bottom weight in the Unibet Greatwood Handicap Hurdle.

Pre-race expectations were no secret, with The Shunter backed from an opening price of 20-1 to 13-2 on the day, and more notably Robbie Power was riding one of the lightest weights in the history of his glittering career.

And the son of Stowaway rewarded his connections with a mighty performance in the famous handicap, powering through the mud to fend off a gallant Ballyandy – at the opposite end of the weights carrying 11st 12lb – to record a three-length win.