In a dramatic turn of events at Leopardstown, the hotly-tipped hurdler El Cairos saw his odds for the Cheltenham Festival tumble despite suffering a bizarre last-flight mishap that cost him certain victory.
A Costly Stumble on the Brink of Victory
The £410,000 purchase, trained by Gordon Elliott and ridden by Jack Kennedy, was cruising to an impressive win in the Thorntons Recycling Maiden Hurdle. Having breezed past his rivals, the 8-15 favourite held a clear lead approaching the final obstacle.
Disaster struck, however, as El Cairos stumbled upon landing, unseating Kennedy and leaving the pair sprawled on the turf. The incident allowed Murat, trained by Peter Lawlor and ridden by Cian Quirke, to seize the opportunity and win by a nose in a tight finish with Doctor Du Mesnil.
Market Reaction and Festival Plans
In a surprising twist, bookmakers immediately reacted to the horse's performance prior to the fall. William Hill slashed El Cairos' odds to 5-1, making him joint-favourite for the prestigious Supreme Novices' Hurdle at the March festival.
This shift was compounded by the defeat of the previous market leader, Mydaddypaddy, who was turned over by Idaho Sun (3-1) in the Grade One William Hill Formby Novices' Hurdle at Aintree. Idaho Sun is now a 12-1 chance for the Supreme.
Trainer Gordon Elliott confirmed the horse was unscathed and outlined his plan. “He’s 100 per cent. He looked good and I’d say he’s a proper horse,” Elliott stated. “I’d say we’ll have one run, probably in a maiden hurdle, and then go to the Supreme Novices’, that would be the plan all being well.”
Ripples Across the Festival Landscape
The Aintree race itself was run under unusual conditions, with four hurdles omitted due to the weather on a bright afternoon, leaving only five to be jumped. Dan Skelton, trainer of the runner-up Mydaddypaddy, believed his horse was unsuited by the shortened test but remained optimistic for Cheltenham.
Meanwhile, Idaho Sun's handler, Harry Fry, celebrated the Grade One victory. “This is what we dream of, Grade Ones, unbeaten novice hurdlers,” he told Racing TV, praising his charge's “high-class cruising speed.”
The dramatic afternoon of racing has significantly reshaped the early market for one of the Cheltenham Festival's opening day highlights, with all eyes now on El Cairos' recovery and next outing.
