WILLIE MULLINS would have watched a scarcely believable defeat with one of his most promising horses as Noemie De La Vis lost after hitting 1-100 in-running.
The four-year-old filly was making her debut for the dominant trainer having arrived from France last year.
She came with a lofty reputation having finished second on her debut at Compiegne on debut.
And it looked like she was going to open her account easily in a 2m4f mares’ maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse under Paul Townend.
Sent off the 4-7 favourite, she was well clear after the second last and was steadied into the final flight by Townend, when her price hit the lowest possible of 1.01 (1-100) on the Betfair Exchange.
Famed commentator Jerry Hannon even said the race looked in safe keeping and was as good as over.
But she fluffed her lines and landed awkwardly the other side.
Hannon initially thought she had lost little momentum in the blunder but 28-1 roughie Soldierstown was flying home down the near side.
Running out of puff completely, Noemie De La Vis was picked off by the outsider to deliver a stunning upset.
More than £10,000 had been matched on the eventual runner-up at the bottom price.
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While almost £200,000 had been matched on her winning the race outright.
The result was a freakish loss for Mullins, who otherwise has been enjoying an incredible purple patch.
He saddled a 48-1 four-timer at Fairyhouse yesterday, the pick of which was big Triumph Hurdle hope Proactif.
More to follow.
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