Warhorse in Arkle shock

Former Colin Bowe point-to-point winner, Western Warhorse caused a huge upset in the Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy at Cheltenham.

Champion Bumper and Supreme Novices' Hurdle winner Champagne Fever was an 11-4 joint-favourite to complete the Festival hat-trick and jumped superbly at the head of affairs under Ruby Walsh.

However, Western Warhorse tracked him into the straight under a confident Tom Scudamore and quickened up to lead after jumping the final fence. Champagne Fever did his best to battle back, but 33-1 shot Western Warhorse passed the post a head to the good. Champagne Fever's fellow joint-favourite Trifolium was four lengths away in third.

Pipe said: "He's been point-to-pointing in Ireland and jumped well at Doncaster, so even though he'd only had one run over fences, it wasn't a real worry. What happened at Kempton when he dumped Tom Scu and bolted might have been a blessing.

"Roger (Brookhouse, owner) wanted to run him in this, but I wanted to go for a nice handicap somewhere, so it's a good job Roger got his way.

"He's always shown lots of ability and the drop back in trip has suited. Tom has given him a really canny ride, because I told him to bounce out and make the running, but they were going a stride too quick, so he just dropped in. He has the hood on to help him calm him down."

Scudamore said: "I still can't quite believe that. I've won an Arkle, it's extraordinary. It was Roger Brookhouse who said drop him back to two miles. We were not expecting that. It's a great thrill and for a change I'm lost for words."

Mullins said of Champagne Fever: "He's run a fantastic race. You'd be disappointed with the result, but not the performance. That's it for two miles. We'll step him right up in trip next season."

Charles Byrnes, responsible for Trifolium, said: "He's run a very honest race. He could never quite get to Champagne Fever at the second-last, but I'm thrilled with his attitude as he could have thrown the towel in but he didn't. I imagine he'll stay at the same trip next season."

The major disappointment of the race was 2012 Champion Hurdle hero Rock On Ruby, runner-up behind Hurricane Fly in last year's Champion. He made a shuddering error at the third fence and Noel Fehily did remarkably well to keep the partnership intact. However, he was soon back-pedalling and never looked likely to land a telling blow.