Racing: Stroll has the legs of veteran rivals

The star of the County Down here yesterday was an unlikely one. More Than A Stroll, a 20-1 outsider, upstaged the two horses who had drawn the biggest crowd in living memory to Northern Ireland's most important racing day.

In a Championship Chase run over three miles of cloying, energy-sapping ground, the Arthur Moore-trained 10-year-old arrived at the winning post, to somewhat bemused acclaim, five lengths in front of British challenger See More Business, the 2-1 favourite, with Florida Pearl, one of the heroes of all Ireland last season, languishing in fourth. Even Moore admitted: "This was his big day. If we have another one the same, it will be a mighty bonus."

More than 7,000 braved a damp, grey chill to witness the clash promised by the James Nicholson-sponsored feature, elevated to Grade One status for the first time. The unexpected result may have hinged on two factors – the incessant rain during the previous few days that had reduced the track to a sticky pudding, and the fall of another long-shot, Rockholm Boy, at the seventh obstacle. Going to the ninth fence, the errant loose horse checked the impetus of the leading pair, See More Business and Give Over, and though it was no more than a temporary nuisance to them, it left the unimpeded Florida Pearl in front, an advantage he consolidated by a flamboyant leap at the birch.

Florida Pearl, eight times a Grade One winner, had been rather ponderous until then and a cheer rose in his fans' throats when his white face showed in front in the gloom on the far side, alongside the swollen River Lagan. But those closest to the horse – Barry Geraghty in the saddle and trainer Willie Mullins in the stands – knew the game was not going their way.

"Once he saw daylight and started jumping, I didn't like to disappoint him," said the jockey. "But he was hating the ground and was never going to get home in it." Mullins concurred. "At this stage of his career, he just doesn't like it so heavy," he said. "And, the way it panned out, he started racing too soon, jumped himself into it too early."

There was a degree of self-recrimination in the See More Business camp, too. Ruby Walsh committed the 12-year-old to the pursuit of Florida Pearl and, once that threat had receded, to a tussle with another upstart, Give Over. To the huge credit of Paul Nicholls' evergreen warrior, he shirked neither task ,but his reserves were empty when More Than A Stroll sneaked past going to the last. "I got into a fight I shouldn't have," admitted Walsh.

Down Royal, just eight miles from Belfast but deep in Ulster's townlands patchwork of cream-washed farmsteads and red corrugated barns, is still known locally by its original name, the Maze, for it lies hard by the infamous, now-empty, prison. But horses, and the love of good ones, transcend any religious divide in this oft-troubled province.

Before racing, the faithful at this thriving festival occasion were treated to some laps of honour in the parade ring by none other than Istabraq, whose leaps and bounds may have tried his two attendants but were a testament to his well-being in retirement, and the scrutiny of the main-event gladiators was intense.

Florida Pearl has none of Best Mate's classical good looks, but he has scrubbed up well since the days when you could well believe that he was one of those hairy-heeled Irish chasers who could put in a shift in the hames of a plough before running a race. Lack of fitness was not going to be an excuse for him, nor for the much-appreciated raider See More Business, with his slouching walk and blinkered head lowered with professional intent. The plain chestnut More Than A Stroll, winner of the Munster National at Limerick last month, rated barely a glance.

But full credit to him, and particularly the ride Conor O'Dwyer gave him. While things variously went wrong for the perceived principals, the canny Irishman sat still and quiet away from the action and kept his powder dry.

"We were worried about the ground," said O'Dwyer, "and the plan was to look after him, potter round and see what came. And a lot more came than we thought." If More Than A Stroll has an encore in him, it may be at Aintree. "He's not up to Cheltenham Gold Cup class at all," said his Co Meath-based handler, "but the National would suit him, and he'd likely get his ground."

Florida Pearl's defeat – his third in succession in this race after winning its inaugural running – has not deflected his connections from their avowed agenda towards a second King George VI Chase. The bookmakers' reaction, however, was negative. Local layers Sean Graham reacted by nipping Best Mate to 6-4 for the Kempton festive showpiece and pushing out last year's victor to 13-2.