The Last Derby causes a shock at Ascot Irish raider, The Last Derby, was a surprise 33/1 winner of the feature event on the card at Ascot today the Listed United House Gold Cup Handicap Chase. Trained by Eoin Griffin in Slieverue, Co Kilkenny and ridden by 2009 Grand National winning jockey Liam Treadwell the 5yo was having only his fourth start over fences today. Treadwell allowed his mount to warm to the task and produced him to lead jumping the penultimate obstacle and they were five lengths too strong for Aimigayle, with Shining Gale staying on for third. Griffin said: "We have always thought a lot of him and two and a half miles at Tipperary last time was a bit sharp for him. "Barry Geraghty suggested we stepped him up in trip. I was then flicking through the calendar and saw this race and decided to give it a go. "He jumps efficiently rather than exuberantly and Liam gave him a brilliant ride." The winner is engaged in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham in two weeks' time and the sponsors trimmed him to 16-1 from 33s. Griffin added: "It might come a bit soon for him but we will get him home and see how he is before making a decision." Treadwell said: "That was the first time I had met Mr Griffin and I hope I meet him again! "We were almost flat out for the first mile so I didn't want to hurry him. "The further we went the happier I was and he has outstayed them. "These big wins are few and far between. It has been a slow start to the season but I'll settle for this." Griffin's other runner at Ascot today, Sanglote fell at the last in the beginners chase and unfortunately had to be put down.
