Six of the biggest shock results from Christmases past

Nupsala
1987 King George VI Chase, Kempton

Arkle's sad demise in 1966 when bravely finishing second to Dormant after suffering a career-ending injury in the race stands out as one of the biggest King George shocks.

However, there was stunned silence and disbelief in 1987 when Desert Orchid, who had won the race the year before and went on to win the following three, suffered a shock defeat.

The evens favourite had no answer to 16-1 chance Nupsala, the first of five King George winners trained by Francois Doumen.

Francois Doumen (left) celebrates with Nupsala after the 1987 King GeorgeCredit: Gerry Cranham

Original
2008 Wayward Lad Novices' Chase, Kempton

Not many small-field Graded races are won by 66-1 chances but that is exactly what French challenger Original did in this Grade 2 to give James Davies his biggest success.

The six-year-old, trained by Marcel Rolland in Chantilly, proved too strong in the 2m feature. French Opera and Deep Purple couldn't match him in behind, with the latter pulling up.

Original and James Davies produce a 66-1 shock at KemptonCredit: Edward Whitaker

According To Pete
2011 Rowland Meyrick Chase, Wetherby

It was easy to see why this ten-year-old was sent off 33-1 as he was 8lb out of the handicap and three years without a win. However, conditional rider Harry Haynes set out and made all in the 3m1f handicap chase and managed to hold on by a hard-fought length.

Royal Vacation
2016 Kauto Star Novices' Chase, Kempton

Some big-price winners need luck on their side and this was certainly the case with Royal Vacation in this Grade 1 as the Colin Tizzard-trained chaser was booked for a distant second at 33-1 until Might Bite, the following year's King George winner, fell at the last to leave Paddy Brennan alone in the clear.

Royal Vacation lands the the Kauto Star at KemptonCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Mick Jazz
2017 Ryanair Hurdle, Leopardstown

Leopardstown has witnessed plenty of shocks as well as many odds-on winners at its winter festival, including this race which had just five runners and a 2-11 favourite in Faugheen.

Favourite backers knew their fate by halfway and supporters of the Gordon Elliott and Davy Russell were left in clover as they combined with 14-1 winner Mick Jazz.

Mick Jazz takes the Ryanair Hurdle for Davy Russell and Gordon ElliottCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Simply Ned
2017 & 2018 Paddy Power Chase, Leopardstown

There have been four 16-1 winners of this Grade 1 in the last five years with Simply Ned responsible for the last two, getting the better of Min (2-7) two years ago and Footpad (evens) last year.

Simply Ned is again a double-figure price behind another odds-on favourite in Chacun Pour Soi for this year's race.

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