Sublime Carberry lands Champion glory

12 April 2012

Sublimity and Philip Carberry landed odds of 16-1 in a thrilling renewal of the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle, the feature race on the opening day of the 2007 Cheltenham Festival.

Ante-post favourite Detroit City was never travelling with any momentum and proved a major disappointment as Hardy Eustace and Brave Inca went hammer and tongs at the head of affairs.

The latter took a narrow lead into the straight, but Carberry was always travelling sweetly just in behind the front two and when he asked his mount to quicken, Sublimity shot up the final incline to win by three lengths from 11-2 chance Brave Inca.

Afsoun stuck on well to edge out Hardy Eustace for third, a further neck away.

Sublimity was settled in last place throughout the early stages, but moved menacingly into contention under a confident ride as the runners descended towards three from home.

Iktitaf was also still in contention at that obstacle only to take a crashing fall.

Hardy Eustace and Brave Inca were moving powerfully, but both were hard under pressure as the front three turned for home.

Sublimity joined the leaders at the final flight and scooted right away to win in impressive fashion, ensuring Philip joined siblings Paul and Nina in the record books having won a race at the showpiece meeting.

Detroit City was off the bit as early as the second flight, but seemed to have fought his way into the race halfway down the back straight.

Punters knew their fate soon after, however, as he dropped tamely off the principals coming down the hill.

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