Iris De Balme is a 66-1 stunner

By Bill Knight, sundaymirror.co.uk 20/04/2008

Outsider Iris De Balme stunned the Coral Scottish National line-up, but the 66-1 winner provided a dream result for racing rookies Sean Curran and Charlie Huxley.

Curran has only been a trainer for 18 months, but his fast-expanding operation could hardly have had a better advert, while teenage rider Huxley looks a real tip for the top as well.

Huxley rode yesterday's favourite Old Benny to win at the Cheltenham Festival only to be replaced by Richard Johnson in the big handicap, but he proved super cool on Iris De Balme who could be backed at 150-1 in the morning.

Nothing was travelling better as they turned for home in Scotland's big steeplechase and Iris De Balme finished so fast that he looked more like a sprinter than a marathon runner.

He came home 14 lengths clear of 10-1 chance Halcon Genelardais with Andy Flintoff's horse Flintoff third at 28-1 and Old Benny (4-1f) in fourth.

"Iris De Balme's jumping took me into the race and when I saw that Choc Thornton was getting after Halcon Genelardais I had to go for it," said Huxley.

At Newbury, Paco Boy's win had little impact on the 2,000 Guineas market, but Muthabara is 7-2 favourite for the 1,000 after coming from an impossible position to land the Fred Darling.