John McConnell's Blaise Hollow caused a 25/1 shock (59/1 on the Tote) in the opening Newmarket Novice Hurdle under Philip Enright, beating off Wicklow Lad and fellow outsider Loughwell Star by a head and one and three parts of a length.
The successful trainer, a Monaghan native, operates on the Curragh and has twenty five in training, roughly half in half flat and jumps. After his twelfth winner he said: "That was a bit of an upset. We always knew he had ability but he's had a few problems. He has had an operation for kissing spines and it took him a long time to get over it.
"He needed to win today, he was running here off 77 but with the minimum rating going up to 80 in the new year he would have been knocked out. He'll have a bit of a break now and then we'll find another handicap for him. He should be able to win a race on the flat too." (EM)
