Thistlecrack return falls flat as 40-1 shot Beer Goggles stuns Newbury with gutsy front-running win
Richard Woollacott's tenacious six-year-old caused the biggest shock of the jumps season so far by making all to win the Ladbrokes Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury.
RICHARD JOHNSON has got a lot of bottle.
The champion jockey blitzed Thistlecrack and Unowhatimeanharry from the front to cause a monster 40-1 shock on Beer Goggles in the Ladbrokes Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury.
It was Devon trainer Richard Woollacott's biggest winner and overshadowed last season’s King George hero Thistlecrack’s return from injury.
Woollacott said: “My heart wanted Thistlecrack to win but I thought Unowhatimeanharry would – I hoped we’d be third or fourth.
Start your Cheltenham wallet today
The road to Cheltenham starts HERE.
Bet £10 or more at any of the races at and Sun Bets will give you a £2 free bet to use at the Cheltenham Festival.
“I’m nearly crying. This is horse is wonderful. He's not big but he's absolutely fantastic.”
Beer Goggles was given a 12-1 quote for the Sun Bets Stayers’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March.
MOST READ
Sun Bets pushed out Thistlecrack to 8-1 from 7-2 for the King George after he trailed in 13 lengths behind Beer Goggles when fifth of the six runners. But Colin Tizzard saw no reason to swerve the defence of his Boxing Day crown.
He said: “Until two out it looked like he could possibly win it. He’s a big, heavy horse and he got tired in the last two furlongs.
“I’m just glad we didn’t go to the King George without a run. As long as he comes out sound we’ll be going there.”
Templegate's TV Tips
1.50 Newbury - Air Horse One: 'It’s hard to see how he won’t go close with the return to this trip in his favour'
2.10 Newcastle - Buveur D'Air: 'There’s nothing in his class lining up against him today so it’s hard to see anything but another victory'
2.25 Newbury - High Bridge: 'Was smart in bumpers and he won his first three hurdles starts'
3.00 Newbury - A Genie In Abottle: 'Noel Meade’s Irish raider had some useful form last term and he has clearly improved since last season'
3.20 Newcastle - Wakanda: 'His comeback second to As De Mee was a step forward and he is sure to be primed for today'
3.35 Newbury - Duke Of Navan: 'Ran a belter on his first run of the season and is better off today'
Earlier on the card at Newbury, Willoughby Court saw off the late challenge of Yanworth to claim top honours in the Ladbrokes Novices' Chase at Newbury.
Ben Pauling's Cheltenham Festival winner did not entirely convince on his chasing debut at Huntingdon, while Alan King's Yanworth fell last time at Exeter having won his chasing debut at the same course in October.
However, it was Willoughby Court who was more assured over his fences and although Yanworth closed the gap in the straight, he never looked like he would catch the winner in time.
Pauling said: "That was really good. He was clever when he needed to be and was brave at a couple of fences when he needed to be as well.
</h
"He wasn't worried like he was at Huntingdon and that was so good to see. I'm thrilled.
"This is still as short as he wants on a flat track. It was a great ride from Nico. He is exceptional.
"We'll probably stay at two and a half miles and look maybe towards the Dipper (Novices' Chase) at Cheltenham (January 1). It won't hurt him to go there.
"It's fabulous for everyone involved. It's so nice to have such a good horse."