Dodging Bullets has claimed the scalps of joint favourites Sire de Grugy and Sprinter Sacre in the Champion Chase at Cheltenham.
All the build-up to the second day highlight at the Cheltenham Festival was on whether 2013 winner Sprinter Sacre could return to reclaim his crown after serious heart problems.
Or if Sire de Grugy could defend his title after landing the two mile (3200m) Grade One showpiece he won in the absence of Nicky Henderson’s star 12 months ago.
But the 5-2 market leaders were upstaged as Dodging Bullets (9-2) emerged from a three-way battle up the hill with Sommersby (33-1) and the front-running Special Tiara (18-1).
Trained by Paul Nicholls and ridden by Sam Twiston-Davies, Dodging Bullets was bred by star Flat jockey Frankie Dettori who was on hand to celebrate.
“It was meant to be the Derby, but this is the second best!” Dettori said.
“Sam gave him a fantastic ride. He jumped like a stag. My legs were shaking a little bit. What a horse.”
Sire de Grugy came in fourth, with Sprinter Sacre pulled up before the last.
It was Nicholls’ second winner at the festival. Britain’s champion trainer suffered a blank opening day but finally got off the mark with Aux Petits Soins, 30 minutes before Dodging Bullets.
“That was absolutely awesome. The progress he’s made has been absolutely phenomenal,” Nicholls said.
Willie Mullins, the master Irish trainer who cleaned up on Tuesday, was left without a runner as he had to pull out Champagne Fever on Wednesday morning.
The third-favourite was feeling the worse for wear after being bitten by a stablemate on the lip en route to the Gloucestershire track from Ireland.
Mullins still had a day to remember when Don Polis took the trainer’s 2015 Festival tally to five in the RSA Chase.
Owned by Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary, the 13-8 favourite is now among the main contenders for next year’s Gold Cup.
“We’re a bit numb. The week has gone way above our expectations,” Mullins said.
Dettori wasn’t the only flat racing figure to make his presence felt.
Dermot Weld, the veteran classic and Melbourne Cup-winning Irish handler, saddled Windsor Park to lift the opening novice hurdle.
Royal Ascot beckons for the 9-2 shot.
“He could be heading for a Gold Cup (at Ascot), but today was the day,” Weld said.
“He’s a good-ground horse, the drying weather suited him well.”
Nicholls’ Qualando made it three for the stable in the juvenile handicap hurdle later on the card.
