Poniros has stunned Cheltenham to win the Triumph Hurdle during its hurdling debut – at odds of 100/1.
The horse, reportedly bought for £200,000, is owned by Brighton owner Tony Bloom and kickstarted Gold Cup day with a bang.
East India Dock entered the race as favourite with odds of 5/4 but could only finish third behind the 11/4 runner-up Lulamba.
Poniros and jockey Jonjo O’Neill Jr were first to the post despite stiff competition running down the final yards.
It’s the first time ever that a debutant has won the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham.
“It’s a funny old game, I was supposed to be in Doncaster today,” O’Neill admitted to ITV Racing afterwards.
“After declarations, my agent said that Willie [Mullins, trainer] was looking for a jockey. He actually said I should stay in Doncaster.
“But I said the way this week is going, I’d much rather be riding one of Willie’s, anything of Willie’s has a chance.
“It’s unbelievable, that’s his first ever appearance over hurdles in public and ah, what a place.”
Mullins already had six winning horses at Cheltenham this year before Friday’s action, including Kopek Des Bordes in the opening race.
Poniros has now become his record-extending 110th champion at the iconic racecourse, although Mullins admitted: “I didn’t expect that.”
He then joked about whether or not owner Bloom had confidence in backing his horse: “Did Tony Bloom back it?
“If he did, it wasn’t on my advice! We were hoping that he’d run well and be a nice horse for next year. But he’s ahead of schedule.”
Mullins added: “We bought him in October, we just schooled him and then gave him a break.
“We thought it’d be better to drag him in from the field and get him ready for Cheltenham, and that’s what we did.
“But I didn’t expect any more than a nice run. We had a lot of horses in the race and they all came here with the same plan.
“I couldn’t believe it when I saw him flying through the middle of them, I just didn’t believe it.”
Poniros has banked £150,000 in prize money for the win, although it remains to be seen if Bloom fancied his chances.
The Gold Cup is set to get underway at 16:00, with Mullins’ Galopin Des Champers the favourite at 8/15.
Victory would be the horse’s third in a row and the fifth ever for Mullins as he continues his iconic legacy at Cheltenham.
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