Bilbo Bagins swoops late to deny Camlann

Bilbo Bagins finished with a tremendous flourish to deny favourite Camlann what appeared certain victory in the Meath Hospice Homecare Handicap Hurdle at Navan.

The 9/4 market leader travelled well to lead approaching the final flight, and punters must have been counting their winnings as Davy Russell's mount went four lengths clear on the run-in.

However Sean Flanagan conjured a strong late challenge out of Bilbo Bagins as the favourite began to struggle up the closing hill.

The 8/1 chance, who was twice those odds earlier in the day and supported on track from 12/1, got up in the closing strides to score by half a length.

Like A Demon cut out most of the running and kept on to finish another two lengths back in third.

Bilbo Bagins was recording his first success in this 2m4f event having failed to win in five point-to-point outings and when switched to the track this term, although he did show some promise behind C'est Jersey in a maiden at this venue.

You have to see it to believe it - some finishing effort from Bilbo Bagins and @flanagansw65 at @NavanRacecourse. Right on time! pic.twitter.com/NqRRCURwaf

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) March 4, 2017

Winning trainer Adrian Murray said, “He was second and third in two point-to-points and he loves this ground.

“We bought him for Tony (McLoughlin) this time last year and thank god he's won for him. He's over from New York and that's his first ever winner.

“He's crying out for a fence and next year we'll go chasing. We'll find something similar for him again.”

(GC & AM)