Kauto disappoints in Loopy Betfair

There was a massive shock at Haydock as Snoopy Loopy took advantage of a last-fence exit by Kauto Star to land the Grade One Betfair Chase.

Kauto Star, hard-ridden at the time but possibly just getting on top of the front-running Tamarinbleu, made a hash of the final obstacle and unshipped Sam Thomas.

That looked to have presented the race to David Pipe's Tamarinbleu but he began to tire and Seamus Durack galvanised 33-1 outsider Snoopy Loopy to win by half a length.

Thomas, who was substituting for the injured Ruby Walsh, got Kauto Star settled well in the early stages and he jumped superbly.

Tamarinbleu, last year's Victor Chandler Chase winner over two miles, was allowed an easy lead out in front and quickened up the pace on the second circuit.

Thomas set out after him down the back straight, closely followed by Exotic Dancer and Tony McCoy.

However, as they turned for home, Thomas had to push Kauto Star along and a bad mistake early in the straight looked to have sealed his fate.

Kauto Star battled back gamely though, eventually drawing level with Tamarinbleu at the last before his horrendous error, leaving Thomas with no chance of maintaining the partnership.

Snoopy Loopy found a second wind and came from the clouds under Durack, cementing his place at the head of the Order Of Merit competition.

Exotic Dancer was a further two and a half lengths away in third.

Durack said: 'He's always been a battler and as long as you still have tabs on them, there is always the chance he will come back at them.

'It was a big improvement again today from the Charlie Hall. He ran a cracker in the Old Roan after a break and he probably ran a bit quick after that at Wetherby.

'We thought he would improve from that and he has, he keeps improving - its unbelievable.'

Nicholls said: 'The King George is five weeks away and it should be a different story there.

'He was on the inside and not really happy, whereas at Down Royal he had a lot more room and was tanking along.

'The mistake at the third-last didn't really help him but that's racing.'

Trainer Peter Bowen hailed the success as the biggest win of his career.

'The horse had a lot of problems and all he needed was time,' said Bowen.

'I can't believe it - it is the biggest race we've ever won.

'He came there to win his race and it is just amazing. He'll have an entry in the Gold Cup and we'll see where we go from there.

'We ran him back a bit quickly last time and you can see from that performance he should have really won the Charlie Hall.'

Paddy Power shortened Denman to even money from 6-4 for the Cheltenham Gold Cup after the race and pushed Kauto Star out to 4-1 from 11-4.