Punters blown away by extraordinary Aintree finish as 199-1 in-running horse ‘makes everyone look like idiots’

Sire Du Berlais surges home to win the JRL Group Liverpool Hurdle

What a sensational performance!#ITVRacing | #GrandNational | @gelliott_racing pic.twitter.com/vKwmQOgn6M

— ITV Racing (@itvracing) April 15, 2023

Trading at a high of 199-1 when running a joint-last for much of the race, the veteran appeared on the scene between the final two flights and picked Marie’s Rock’s pocket in the final furlong.

Given the way he was travelling earlier in the race, his backers would have been forgiven for throwing away their betting slips, virtual or otherwise.

It was ultimately a very comfortable success for Sire Du Berlais, who won going away at 8-1, completing a 305-1 Cheltenham-Aintree double in the process.

Marie’s Rock was well beaten at Cheltenham last month when a joint-favourite for the Mares’ Hurdle and her backers were left heartbroken again, especially those who took odds of 1-6 in running.

The frustrating season of dual Stayers’ winner Flooring Porter continued too, as the eight-year-old could only manage third after setting a searing gallop.

Punters were left gobsmacked by what they’d seen, with one saying: “Sire Du Berlais has just made everyone look like idiots.”

Another said: “Sire du berlais is a joke of a horse. Imagine travelling that poorly throughout a race and still bolting up.”

Walsh was left stunned too and told ITV Racing: “I don’t know [how I won that], he wasn’t on the bridle at any stage.

“Turning into the straight I was creeping closer and closer.

“I thought I might have a little squeak here and then he stared passing horses and just kept going.”