Annamix and Charlie Mullins © Photo Healy Racing
"Here's Annamix from an impossible position," was the cry from racecourse commentator Jerry Hannon as the grey came through to lead on the run-in of the hunters chase in Fairyhouse before powering home at 18/1.
He looked to be in a hopeless position when detached down the back as odds-on-favourite Ferns Lock led from Billaway with the pair look looking to dominate this extended three mile one contest.
Ferns Lock appeared to be travelling better than Billaway into the straight, however, he emptied quickly before the last and was claimed.
Annamix was staying on all the while and closed up on Billaway at the last before touching down to hit the front from him.
Charlie Mullins drove him four and a-half lengths clear of Billaway (3/1) for a remarkable success.
The jockey said: "I knew they had gone pretty quick and I said I’d sit back.
“I felt he had a chance turning into the straight. When he passed one or two, he took a hold with me again. I let him fly at the last and he kept picking up for me.
“He made a few bad mistakes and can take off from anywhere!”
Paddy Power pushed Ferns Lock out to 8/1 from 4/1 for the hunters chase at the Cheltenham Festival next year. The bookmaker has Its On The Line 7/1 favourite.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
