Astonishing Champ posts miraculous RSA victory after hitting 399-1 in running

Down but not out pretty much says it all about Champ, who in the most unlikely of circumstances landed a 12th round knockout to prevail in a head-scratcher of an RSA Insurance Novices' Chase.

Sprawled on the canvas after a sloppy effort to clear two-out on his last visit to Cheltenham, his corner could have been forgiven for throwing in the towel on this occasion as he toiled in third turning in.

Still almost nine lengths behind Minella Indo and Allaho at the last, layers on Betfair made Champ a 399-1 chance. His trainer Nicky Henderson had even given up hope, training his binoculars away from his horse and on to the leaders, thinking third and no better was Champ's lot.

Watch: how Champ won the RSA Insurance Novices' Chase

Yet Barry Geraghty, on a high after a fourth Champion Hurdle success on Tuesday, had been at pains to stay away from the quagmire down the inner and, sensing tiring legs ahead of him, was perhaps the only one to get a whiff of victory.

"I knew I still had a chance turning in when I was probably six or seven lengths behind," relived Geraghty. "I hadn't made any ground jumping the second last and then it's getting away a little bit, but the two in front hadn't been brilliant at the last and on landing at the back of that I'm smelling the money again."

Who knows what Champ could smell but it must have been something sweet as his revs went through the roof while the leaders hit the skids.

"He started picking up and from getting to within three lengths of them I knew it was over," continued Geraghty. "From putting his head in front 70 yards from the finish he's gone a length clear – he was motoring."

Both Rachael Blackmore on Minella Indo who traded at 1.06 in running and Paul Townend on Allaho (traded at 2.0) looked sheepish at best having had their pockets pinched and Geraghty knew exactly what the pair were feeling.

"It's brilliant for me reeling them in but I've been in Rachael's position and have been mugged like that," he said. "I was mugged on Native Dara in 2000 in the Coral Cup by What's Up Boys and there's no worse feeling.

"Rachael came over and congratulated me and I said to her, 'I know where you are'. It's a tough one but sing when you're winning as Robbie Williams said!"

Memories of Might Bite's antics in the same race in 2017 came flooding back for Henderson, who has a colourful but satisfying record in the race, Champ becoming his fourth RSA winner.

Henderson's RSA heroes

2020 Champ
2017 Might Bite
2012 Bobs Worth
2005 Trabolgan

"Might Bite did funny things to us in this race when he ran right off the track but that was remarkable," said Henderson. "Halfway up the run-in I started to watch what was going on up the front with the other two, then as the line was coming up Champ came into my sight!

"If Shishkin was 100-1 at the second last what price was Champ at the last? He's a horse with a wonderful attitude and temperament and to be fair the fall last time didn't do him too much harm.

"Nico de Boinville has done a lot of work with him, he even took him in the indoor school yesterday morning to jump some poles and he has to take a lot of credit for this."

The winner was given a quote of 14-1 with Paddy Power for next year's Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup, with Henderson and Geraghty agreeing the extra yardage in the feature race of the festival would be no issue after what had just played out.

Read more on Champ's miracle RSA victory:

Reliving the RSA: how Champ defied reality to surge past Minella Indo and Allaho

Champ's wonder horserace leaves McCoys senior and junior beaming with joy

Did you know you can bet via the Racing Post? Sign in with your favourite bookmaker via the accounts button and bet directly from our racecards