In a remarkable turn of events at Leopardstown's Listed Quinnbet Handicap Chase, the unexpected 33/1 longshot Brideswell Lad surged ahead to claim victory by a striking margin of a length and three-quarters.
Demonstrating a flawless leap five fences from the finish line, the horse swiftly advanced into second place, tailing closely behind Battle of Mirbat before taking the lead three jumps out. With another impressive leap at the penultimate fence, Brideswell Lad further extended his lead over Battle of Mirbat, while Birchdale began to make a move in third position.
Ridden by Brian Hayes, the victorious Brideswell Lad maintained a strong position throughout the race, leading by a two-length margin over Birchdale as they approached the final fence. Despite a slight error in his final leap, the horse managed to maintain his momentum and clinch the win at odds of 33/1, leaving Battle of Mirbat (7/1) and Birchdale (11/1) trailing behind.
Trainer Seamus Neville shared his thoughts on the victory, stating:
“Following a significant fall at Listowel, Brideswell Lad faced a lengthy recovery period. However, his recent performances indicated a return to form. He does have preferences in terms of ground conditions, so we are mindful of that. Looking ahead, he is likely to compete at Fairyhouse and Punchestown, as we aim to keep him active throughout the summer.”