BACCA SPRINGS 100/1 SURPRISE

March 5 2010

Bacclaureate - 100-1 winner.

Baccalaureate created a massive 100-1 surprise as he saw off hot favourite Pistolet Noir in the opening Betfair Finesse Juvenile Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Making his debut for Paul Nicholls after switching from the care of Nick Williams, Pistolet Noir was sent off the 8-15 favourite to underline his claims for the Triumph Hurdle.

Ruby Walsh always had him in the front rank but he was having to get to work on the turn for home while the Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained Baccalaureate was cruising in behind.

Paddy Brennan opted to kick on coming down to the last and Baccalaureate responded in style as Pistolet Noir crashed through the last.

Although the winner tired a little up the straight, he was always holding the runner-up for a two-length victory.

Sky Bet and Victor Chandler make Baccalaureate a 33-1 chance for the Triumph at the Festival in March while Pistolet Noir is out to 20-1 with the former.

Twiston-Davies said: "It was a shock because we know he likes better ground but why he was 100-1, I don't know as he wasn't beaten that far last time. I thought he'd be about 20s.

"Chris Coley wanted a horse for his syndicate at the time I didn't have one but Philip Hobbs said he did and that's how we bought this fellow, so I guess Philip will be now crying in his cornflakes!"

Brennan added: "He travelled and he jumped and with better ground he will be even better again."

Nicholls was not too disheartened and Pistolet Noir is still likely to be entered for the Triumph.

"It was a surprise to me that he was made the favourite for the Triumph because he's not run on the Flat," he said.

"He was quite clueless when we got him and he wants two and a half miles.

"We will probably still put him in the Triumph but we might give him another run first and see how he gets on."