Berliet Express defies odds of 50/1 in style

Berliet Express provided trainer Philip Rothwell with his eighth winner of the season when causing a 50/1 shock in division two of the Mahon Hospitality Group New York Handicap Hurdle at Kilbeggan.

The lightly-raced gelding attracted some interest earlier in the day from 66/1 into 16/1 but was friendless before the race and drifted right out to 50/1.

However, the five-year-old belied the lack of confidence being patiently ridden to lead before the last and stretched right away on the run-in under James O’Sullivan to score by an easy eight lengths. Lesssaidthebetter took the runner-up spot with Kilashee a length further back in third.

Rothwell said, “The last day in Downpatrick was his first run in a handicap over 2m3f and he travelled brilliant to the second last and didn’t see it out.

“He has loads of pace and probably a mile on the Flat would be far enough. A sharp two miles around here suited him and James gave him a good ride.”