Young Rebel, a four-year-old gelding purchased for a bargain price, produced a stunning performance to win the bumper at Fairyhouse, landing a huge gamble in the process. Trained by Margaret Mullins, the horse was backed from 66-1 on the morning of the race to 12-1 at the off.
The 14-runner field included the unbeaten point-to-point winner Grangeclare Park and the £225,000 purchase Lultimatom, both of which faded after disputing the lead in the closing stages. Ridden by Anna McGuinness, Young Rebel made stealthy headway down the outside in the straight to surge ahead and beat Moonverrin by a length.
“There were some well-priced horses in the race and you’d be saying ‘what are you doing here?’” said Mullins. “I’m delighted. He came here about three weeks ago and worked lovely. Anna never gave up and rode him the whole way to the line and he kept answering.”
Another runner, Let's Go La Fichad, had attracted significant support from 50-1 to 9-2 but weakened quickly after a prominent early position. Young Rebel was subsequently quoted at 25-1 for the Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival by Paddy Power.
In other betting moves on the card, Ballyburn now heads the Stayers’ Hurdle market after his narrow defeat to Teahupoo, while Romeo Coolio was cut to 6-1 for the Arkle Chase following an eight-length victory in the Drinmore Novice Chase.
