3 minute read
Jet Powered was beaten at prohibitive odds at Newbury – but there appeared to be no fluke about the 66-1 success of Gary Moore’s Jupiter Du Gite.
Nicky Henderson's Jet Powered was sent off the 2-7 favourite having been hugely impressive on his first outing and was prominent in the ante-post betting for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle.
Everything appeared to be going according to plan for Nico De Boinville's mount in the Coral Racing Club Join For Free 'Introductory' Hurdle as he tracked Jupiter Du Gite, Moore's apparent second string behind Inneston, through the first mile and a half.
But when they turned into the straight and Niall Houlihan injected further pace from the front, Jet Powered was soon floundering on rain-softened ground and by the third-last he was making no impression.
In contrast Jupiter Du Gite galloped on relentlessly, winning by 15 lengths from Klitschko, who stayed on from the rear to claim second ahead of Inneston.
The winner was introduced into Betfair's market for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at 16-1, with the same firm trimming Marine Nationale into 11-2 from 8-1. Favourite Facile Vega hardened into 8-11 from evens.
"If you'd have given me any money to back him, I'd have put it in my pocket," said Moore, who has another Cheltenham Festival target in mind.
"It must be the weight difference. I am totally shell-shocked. The horse is cranky – he's mad in the head. He has behaved himself impeccably today, except when I saddled him – he went through the roof twice in the saddling-up box.
"(I don't know) whether he has got an easy lead in front, or whether he loves bad, bad ground.
"I watched the replays of his races in France and one was a trotting race, pulled by a car. I thought why have they done that? They could only have done that to settle him down. He has won pulling a car today, hasn't he!
"He goes out on his own every day. He wears a hood, has cotton wool in his ears, he has a hood on. He is a complete enigma.
"I thought Inneston would win. I honestly thought he would win. The favourite didn't worry me. He is a good horse.
"But this horse is a very busy horse at home and is probably fitter than Inneston is – he probably needed that run today and in time he will be a very nice horse. That horse, to do what he has done to that lot, is amazing."
He went on: "He is a half-brother to Editeur Du Gite (Desert Orchid Chase winner), who likes quick ground.
"I said to the owner (Alan Jamieson), we would have to go into the Triumph on that display. He has to go left-handed – he can't go right-handed. I'm shell-shocked, I really am. I am so pleased for Alan. He is a good owner, he never moans and has had a terrible season with other horses, who have been so disappointing. I thought, if this horse gets round today, it would be a miracle."
Of Inneston, he added: "I hope the reason is that he was just a little bit short of work after 440 days off. The weather didn't help, but he is a very nice horse. We will find a small novice hurdle for him next."
