999-1 in running! Kennedy pulls off scarcely believable victory on Mount Ida

After beginning the day with a fall on the Irish banker, Jack Kennedy ended it with a remarkable win on a mare whose chance he felt had "gone out of the window" early on.

The jockey who hit the deck on 4-9 favourite Envoi Allen in the Marsh Novices' Chase was matched at the Betfair maximum of 999-1 as he trailed the field on Mount Ida in the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Chase.

Those far-sighted few who had their £102 matched on the Denise Foster-trained Cork Grade 3 winner did not appear to have much hope as the 3-1 market leader seemed fazed by the big field and big track, neither travelling nor jumping well.

How it happened

Credit: Racing TV

Credit: Racing TV

Credit: Racing TV

Credit: Racing TV

Credit: Racing TV

Credit: Racing TV

Credit: Racing TV

Credit: Racing TV

Click here to watch the Kim Muir replay

But Kennedy persevered and worked his way through the field as the 3m2f race wore on – so much so that he hit the front earlier than planned, despite which Mount Ida still went on to win by six and a half lengths.

"She wasn't jumping or travelling early on but she warmed into it lovely, and she was doing her best work at the finish," the jockey said.

"I had planned it going a bit smoother in the early part of the race in my head, but I was left in the position I was left in. I just had to do what I could from there. Luckily, I had a very willing partner.

"We were hoping she would run a big race, but to be honest, I thought my chances had gone out of the window after jumping four fences.

"But she started to warm into it then and I suppose at the top of the hill I was fairly happy and I ended up getting there too soon in the end."

Mount Ida flies the last under Jack Kennedy to win with plenty in handCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Kennedy believes the experience will be good for Mount Ida, who was having just her fourth run in a chase, and said: "She just got a shock to her system over the first few fences because she'd only run in small fields. She's well able to jump once she gets the confidence to do so.

"After the day I was having, it was probably one of the most satisfactory winners I've ever had."

Reflecting on Envoi Allen's fall earlier, he said: "It was extremely disappointing. I suppose he had never made a mistake in his life, so it was probably too good to be true, something was going to happen at some point. It was just unfortunate it was today. But we live to fight another day and you learn from it."

By contrast Rachael Blackmore's day took a turn for the worse as she fell three out in the Kim Muir on Plan Of Attack. But she walked back unscathed after her fourth fall of the week.

More from Cheltenham Festival Thursday:

'The hardest decision of my life' – why Jonathan Moore missed Stayers' winner

'No such thing as a certainty' – Ruby Walsh on Envoi Allen's 'unlucky' fall

Punter wins £250,000 after cashing out amazing £5 acca involving Envoi Allen

It's Rachael Blackmore again as awesome Allaho destroys the field in Ryanair

Envoi Allen's doting groom denied the chance to lead up her star at Cheltenham

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