'There didn't deserve to be a second' - Champ wins thriller from Paisley Park

Friday: Coral Long Distance Hurdle, Newbury

Champ has previous when it comes to dramatic finishes and he played his part in one again in the feature race on day one of Newbury's most famous jumps meeting.

The track, for the first time, staged a winter wonderland-style Christmas carnival in the centre of the course and Jonjo O'Neill Jr was fittingly gifted something of an easy lead on the ten-year-old, who runs in the colours of JP McManus and is named after the owner's former retained rider Sir Anthony McCoy.

McCoy was on course to watch on, but had a better view of the classy gelding last week when he rode him in a piece of work.

That exercise may have proved crucial as the Nicky Henderson-trained Champ, who looked to have things sewn up at one point, clung on for victory from the popular Paisley Park. He finished powerfully to provide a thrilling climax and his surge led to him trading at a price of 1.08 on Betfair, but Champ had just saved enough.

The legendary 20-time champion jockey had retired by the time his namesake came into training, but was thrilled with the result – just as he had been in 2020 when Champ came from an impossible position to win what was the RSA at the Cheltenham Festival.

Champ (right) and Paisley Park jump the last wide apart in Friday's Long Distance HurdleCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

"He wasn't actually working great before he came here for that gallop, but considering how much weight he had to carry with me on board I thought he worked well!" said McCoy, whose young son Archie adores the 11-8 winner.

"It's nice to see him back. He's had loads of problems with his back, and Ger Kelly and his team of vets have done a great job.

"Archie is actually away. I've just got a text that he watched it on the phone, but apparently he's not happy he's not here."

Paisley Park made his challenge against the nearside rail, which was not lost on Henderson, who hailed the veterinary assistance over the off-season as well, but also the horse who threatened to spoil his party.

"They were so far apart and Paisley wasn't helping us," he said.

"Champ jumped great and should be a chaser, but he's had loads of back operations. JP's team has done a huge amount of work on it – the summer's the most important part of his year.

"There's still plenty of ability there, but also in Paisley Park too – they are two fantastic horses and there didn't deserve to be a second."

Emma Lavelle, who trains Paisley Park, was equally complimentary about Champ.

The pair could meet in Ascot's Howden Long Walk Hurdle next month.

"It's brilliant, he's back," she said of her 2019 Stayers' Hurdle hero.

"He is the most extraordinary horse, you can't help but feel if he'd have jumped either of the last two, we'd have made the difference.

"I take my hat off to Champ – they're special. Ten-year-olds turning up and running races like that, it's what National Hunt racing is all about. I'm just very privileged, as are my whole team, to train one of those horses. It would have been nicer if he'd have been clapped into the winner's spot, but we're so proud of him."

Read this next:

Five big horses running this Saturday at Newbury, Newcastle and Gowran Park

New Upping The Ante star Johnny Dineen joins the Racing Post roster for a weekly Saturday column throughout the jumps season. He'll offer a guide to the weekend action, highlight the key horses and races to watch and share his punting wisdom. Read it every Saturday in the Racing Post or online from 4pm every Friday, exclusively for Members' Club subscribers. Sign up to Members' Club here for more top jumps season insight.