Stumptown registered a famous victory for Ireland in the 135th running of the Velka Pardubicka, but it was not without one or two hair-raising moments for winning jockey
Keith Donoghue.
Winner of the Cross Country Chase at Cheltenham in March, Stumptown took up a prominent early position, but his race almost ended prematurely when he let fly at the daunting Taxis Ditch, fence four on the course and easily the most famous obstacle of a truly unique racecourse.
Stumptown cleared the ditch on the landing side by millimetres but, having landed so steeply, threatened to fire Donoghue out of the saddle. At one stage the rider looked like he was going into orbit, but somehow he kept his grip on the reins and his feet stayed lodged in his stirrups.
There was more drama to come at fences eight and nine, known as the Small Gardens and at which Stumptown barely lifted a leg.
Again, Donoghue kept the partnership intact, but Stumptown was relegated to last and looked longer odds than Foinavon to provide Britain or Ireland with a first win in the race since Charlie Mann trained and rode
Its A Snip to win in 1995.
However, with 31 jumps to negotiate in all, time was on Donoghue's side and he slowly started to pick off his rivals with Stumptown warming to the unique challenge he faced.
Stumptown and Keith Donoghue navigate their way round before heading to victoryCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)
Ridden into a prominent position three out, Stumptown moved into second approaching the last before taking dead aim on High In The Sky – partnered by Pardubicka legend Jan Faltejsek – turning for home. On the long run to the line he was able to claim the leader and went on to secure an unlikely but nevertheless historic success for the trainer
Gavin Cromwell and owners the Furze Bush Syndicate.
"It means everything," said Donoghue. "It's brilliant to win. He's a great horse and it's great to win a big race like this. I didn't get much of a run round, but he's a good stayer."
Reflecting on his shuddering mistake at the Taxis, the rider added: "I was very lucky to stay up, but thankfully he did. A couple of mistakes after that put me back in the field, but I took my medicine because I knew he'd stay well."
At the line Stumptown, who was pulled up on his previous run in the Grand National, had a length and three-quarters to spare over High In The Sky, with a further six lengths back to Caryjape in third.
"It's unbelievable and he was given a super ride," said Cromwell. "It's just magic but it wasn't easy. He got behind after that mistake at the double fence and Keith was very patient. He let him work his way back into it which was very good.
"It's such a privilege to win this race and hopefully we'll be back again in the future."
