HISTORY was made at Exeter this afternoon when rank outsider Blowers prevailed at odds of 300/1!
Ridden by James Best, Blowers beat the previous record of 250/1, set by Equinoctial at Kelso in 1990, to become the longest-priced winner in British racing history.
300/1 miracle! Blowers shocks Exeter in record-breaking winCredit: RACINGTV
The meeting at the Devon track was in doubt with more than 50mm of rain falling since Monday, and conditions described as heavy. The rain continued to pour throughout the contest, leaving few with any chance turning into the straight.
The Nigel Hawke-trained Blowers – named after cricket commentator Henry Blofeld – and 5/4 favourite On The Bayou sat first and second throughout, the only two in with a shout approaching the last.
But Best found more in the outsider to pull off a shock victory.
Bookmaker Coral reported taking 82 bets on the horse, with the biggest being a £2 each-way single.
“Christmas has come early for the 82 punters who backed Blowers at 300/1. They clearly saw something in the horse that us bookmakers didn’t,” said Coral’s John Hill.
“The Nigel Hawke-trained horse has broken a 35-year record and is now the longest-priced winner in British racing history,” added Hill.
Blowers became the longest-priced winner in British racing historyCredit: SL
Best was lucky to make history, picking up the ride only on the morning of the race. He revealed he nearly didn’t take the call from an unknown number.
Ella Herbison had partnered the five-year-old when he was pulled up on his rules debut at Chepstow last month and was due to ride again. However, Best said she missed her flight and nominated him to take over.
Speaking to Racing TV, Best said: “Ella Herbison was meant to ride him. I was on my way to riding out on the M5 at ten past six when a random unknown Irish number rang me. Sometimes I don’t answer and I didn’t know who it was.
“It was Ella: ‘Do you want to ride one in the first at Exeter?’ Sadly, she got stuck in traffic and didn’t make her flight. Thank you to Ella for thinking of me, and to Nigel and the owners for allowing me to ride.
“He was keen the last day, so Nigel said with the ground being testing, he was worried they might crawl. Plan A was to drop in last, but then we thought he might relax better in front.
“He was jumping out to his left a bit, so I stayed middle to outer down the back. He clearly handled the ground, got into a nice rhythm, and thanks to all the connections.”
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Eze Chidiebere Paul
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