French-raider Facts Not Fiction was responsible for a real upset in the D A D Novices' Hurdle.
There was no fluke about the victory for the 25-1 shot, trained by Francois Doumen, who forged clear from the final flight to defeat Manx Magic by five lengths.
Facts Not Fiction had been off the course for 102 days after disappointing in chases back in France.
'He did it well today and is a good long striding horse who needs a distance,' said the jockey and trainer's son Thierry Doumen.
'He's had a soft palate operation and it seems that he might now be the horse we thought he was going to be.'
Facts Not Fiction is entered for the Sun Alliance Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham but Doumen jnr said the distance of that race might be too short for the gelding. -PA
