HORSERACING: Anzum to rescue for bookies.
ANZUM, a 40-1 outsider, shocked his more fancied rivals by winning the Bonusprint Stayers' Hurdle.The market was dominated by Deano's Beeno, Le Coudray and Lady Rebecca.
But Anzum, at least four lengths behind the leaders at the final flight, had the layers laughing with a surge up the run-in to overhaul Le Coudray near the line for a neck verdict.
Lady Rebecca, who got the worst of a drawn-out tussle with Le Coudray, was a further three and a half lengths away.
The victory provided Richard Johnson with his first success at the Festival and put his boss, David Nicholson, on the scoresheet for the first time at this year's meeting.
Nicholson, who backed Anzum at 50-1 earlier in the week, said: "I watched the race from the lawn and when they passed me I thought he might get second.
"But as I went towards the winner's enclosure Irish trainer Arthur Moore told me I'd won it."
Katarino made a mockery of the poor record of favourites in the Elite Racing Club Triumph Hurdle.
Moving to the front at the final flight, the 11-4 favourite pulled clear under Mick Fitzgerald to beat Balla Sola by eight lengths with Afarad third.
Katarino, trained by Nicky Henderson, is now 20-1 for next year's Champion Hurdle with Ladbrokes and the Tote but Coral surprisingly go half the price.
"He's so tough and that is what got him there in the end," said Henderson.
"I can't see Aintree being his track but Punchestown could be and then we might think about the French Champion Hurdle."
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| Title Annotation: | Sport |
|---|---|
| Publication: | Daily Record (Glasgow, Scotland) |
| Date: | Mar 19, 1999 |
| Words: | 262 |
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