Idaho Sun lowered the colours of odds-on favourite Mydaddypaddy in the Grade One William Hill Formby Novices\u2019 Hurdle at Aintree.<\/p>\n
The 8\/13 favourite was expected to cement his position at the head of the Sky Bet Supreme market and having been anchored at the rear of the field by Harry Skelton, made smooth headway turning for home<\/p>\n
The final two flights were bypassed because of the low sun and despite getting onto the quarters of the eventual winner, he never looked like getting past.<\/p>\n
In fact Idaho Sun was going further clear the line, hitting it three-and-a-quarter lengths to the good.<\/p>\n
He was cut to 14\/1 from 50s by the sponsors and Paddy Power for the Sky Bet Supreme with Mydaddypaddy out to 16\/1.<\/p>\n
El Cairos, who was set to run out an impressive winner on his first start for Gordon Elliott before stumbling and falling after the last in a maiden hurdle at Leopardstown, is now the 5\/1 favourite.<\/p>\n
Winning trainer Harry Fry said: \u201cThe horses do the talking on track and he\u2019s done nothing wrong \u2013 he\u2019s been beaten once in his life when he was a hands-and-heels staying-on sixth in the Champion Bumper, when he didn\u2019t come down the hill but flew up it. He learnt plenty that day and has learnt plenty this season.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know they didn\u2019t jump the two in the home straight both times, but I love his attitude and he\u2019s a real galloper with a seriously high-class cruising speed. <\/p>\n
\u201cThis is what we dream of \u2013 Grade Ones, exciting and unbeaten novice hurdlers. I am delighted for Jeremy Gear (owner).<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Supreme Novices\u2019 Hurdle is now on the agenda. We said we\u2019d come here and then see where the land lies. I am delighted for Ciara (wife) and the whole team at home who put in so much work and effort, including Ciaran O\u2019Shea who rides him every day. <\/p>\n
\u201cThis is what it\u2019s all about. He was our only runner on the day but I wasn\u2019t worried because if you\u2019re coming to a Grade One with a chance that\u2019s what it\u2019s all about. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe won fair and square in my eyes. Another day will be another race, but we can dream and look forward to the Spring. The Supreme is very much the target and we look forward to it. He has unfinished business at Cheltenham. I\u2019ve never come away from a race with such a case of \u2018what if\u2019, the way the race was run in the Champion Bumper.<\/p>\n
\u201cBryan has formed such a great partnership with the horse and we can dream big for March.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll enjoy today. Grade Ones don\u2019t come round too often and Metier was our last in the equivalent race back in 2021. Since then, things haven\u2019t gone as well as we\u2019d have liked but hopefully this is a stepping-stone towards back to being where we want to be \u2013 competing on big days with good horses for wonderful owners. That is what the sport is all about.\u201d<\/p>\n
For Jeremy Gear, the winning owner, Idaho Sun\u2019s victory invoked memories of the great Red Rum. <\/p>\n
He said: \u201cI think he was so under the radar but I still believed. But when you have got Dan\u2019s (Skelton, Mydaddypaddy\u2019s trainer) horse at 8-13 you kind of think we\u2019re up against it. <\/p>\n
\u201cI have to tell you this \u2013 Red Rum is over there (pointing to the three times Grand National winner\u2019s statue) and he was my hero when I was a child. With the second last flight being out, he came round the elbow that Red Rum used to come round, and it was as if Red Rum was by his side! I just can\u2019t believe it.<\/p>\n
\u201cHarry and Ciara have said all along that this was the target and I don\u2019t think he\u2019ll be under the radar anymore. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt means a huge amount to win a Grade One here. I am so pleased for Bryan Carver \u2013 he and the horse are like a centre-half partnership and have formed such a strong partnership together. Bryan did exactly what he said he would do in the parade ring and he carried that plan out to perfection.\u201d<\/p>\n
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