Supreme Shock Stuns Punters

Ebaziyan stunned the packed Cheltenham stands as the Irish raider sprung a 40-1 shock in the Anglo Irish Bank Supreme Novices' Hurdle, the opening race at the 2007 Cheltenham Festival.

The muted hush that descended over the crowd as the Willie Mullins-trained grey surged across the line was in stark contrast to the ear-splitting roar that went up as the 22 runners set off on their journey.

An even more deafening noise filled the spring air when the 2-1 favourite Amaretto Rose stylishly ranged upsides the powerful Granit Jack approaching the second-last after making up ground under Mick Fitzgerald.

A real war of attrition looked set to develop between the market leaders, but Ebaziyan had tracked the favourite through the pack and laid down his challenge between the two big guns over the final flight.

Davy Condon then drove his mount up to take an advantage which was extended in impressive fashion as he pulled away to collect by three lengths from Granit Jack, with Amaretto Rose weakening into third.

The roar for the principals died down as the six-year-old romped away to provided County Carlow handler Willie Mullins with his 10th Festival winner.

But even he admitted he was surprised at the result.

He said: 'Of all the horses I have brought over I didn't think he would win and I would have been delighted if he was in the first six.

'He has done really well having only had two hurdle races and I am delighted for David, who gave him a great ride after finding himself further back than he should have been.

'I was delighted to see Amaretto Rose there alongside as she opened up a lot of gaps, but his jumping wasn't great from where I was watching.

'He got a bump or two as well, but once it opened up he flew.

'He broke a pelvis last season so I wasn't able to run him and I couldn't get him right this year.

'The first time I ran him he got beat, but Noel Meade said he thought his horse who beat him was a machine. I then ran him back too quick next time and he just won, but there was more in the tank than he showed.

'I took a chance coming here, but if he got beat we could always go down in grade.

'He'll probably go to Punchestown now and after a disappointing year last year it is great to start the meeting like this.'

William Hill and Stan James introduced the winner into next year's Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle betting at 25-1, although Blue Square and Boylesports offer just 20s.

Condon coasted across the line to record a first-ever Festival victory at the third time of asking, and the 22-year-old said: 'This is brilliant ? I cannot believe it.

'I ended up a bit far back and I wanted to be closer to the pace, but Mick was beside me and I followed him through.

'Coming up the hill was an unbelievable feeling and I won't forget it for a while!'

John Hales, owner of the runner-up, said: 'It was a fantastic performance by the outsider to win. We were beaten by a better horse on the day.

'My horse is a chaser ? he was not bought to go hurdling and Ruby (Walsh) said he jumped very big. We are delighted with that.

'I don't know if he will run again this season, but he will be some two-mile chaser.'

Amanda Bentley, racing manager for owners the Weatherbys Racing Club, revealed the Nicky Henderson-trained Amaretto Rose had returned from the race with a minor cut.

She said: 'We are really proud of her, but when Mick came in he said that she was knocked sideways at the second-last.

'She's come back with a cut on her back leg, which we hope is only superficial.

'All being well, she will go to Aintree for one of the novice hurdles and that will be her last run for us.'

Paul Webber bemoaned his luck for fourth home De Soto, who did not benefit from the field failing to get away at the first time of asking.

'He had a good position the first time they came in, but not so good the second time and he didn't get away too well,' he said.

'He stayed on fantastically well on ground that was a little bit tacky for him.

'If we think about Liverpool we'll be looking at a two-and-a-half-mile race there.'

(C) PA Sport