Willoughby Court wins the Neptune Novices' Hurdle in the first race of day two at Cheltenham.
Much was expected of Neon Wolf, who went off as the 2/1 favourite but it was Willoughby Court, a 14/1 shot, that stole the show in the first race at Cheltenham today.
Jockey David Bass got everything out of his outsider to hold off Neon Wolf, in what was a thrilling finish to the Neptune Novices' Hurdle. Having led from strat to finish, he won by a whisker from Neon Wolf, with a steward's enquiry holding up the win for a time before being confirmed.
It looked for all the world that Neon Wolf would reign Willoughby Court in down the stretch but after jumoing the last wildly, the pre-face favourite could not do enough to beat the Paul Rooney owned six year-old.
"My horse drifted right and drifted left again," said Bass. "It's brilliant for Ben and his team.
"I'm so grateful to him and his owners to ride a nice horse like this."
Bass continued: "I thought I was always holding him (Neon Wolf).
"This lad stays well and it's fantastic for Ben, who is a really good trainer."
Messire Des Obeaux finished third at odds of 8-1.
