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Henllan Harri springs 40/1 shock at Sandown

Sean BowenSean Bowen
© Photo Healy Racing

Henllan Harri caused a 40-1 upset when he just held on from Vyta Du Roc in a thrilling finish to the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown.

The nine-year-old, trained by Peter Bowen and ridden by his son Sean, made most of the running and kept all-comers at bay as he captured the last big steeplechase of the season.

Henllan Harri was 4lb wrong at the weights but that did not stop him from landing the spoils for the Pembrokeshire stable.

The pack closed in up the final hill, but Henllan Harri got the verdict by a head from the Nicky Henderson-trained Vyta Du Roc (6-1), with Colin Tizzard's Theatre Guide (20-1) just a neck away third.

The winning rider said: "I thought I had (won) but then Daryl (Jacob, on Vyta Du Roc) said he'd won it.

"He held on well and battled on very hard. He did what he does best. He stuck on well all the way and stayed every yard.

"He's very tough."

Peter Bowen said: "That makes it twice as special with Sean riding. He only had 10st, which helped, but he was 4lb out of the handicap - however he handles that ground.

"We were not sure about the trip but he stayed it well. I thought he would run well and I thought he would be in the first six.

"He ran above himself, I would say. We were a bit worried as he has always jumped a bit left but he jumped really straight.

"He will have a long break now and we will see what he does early on in the season. On that form, if he goes up high enough he could be seen as a National horse."