Solzen triumphs as Drever falls

Hot favourite Inglis Drever suffered a shock defeat as My Way De Solzen lifted the Grade One totesport Long Walk Hurdle at Chepstow.

Howard Johnson’s charge was sent off the 2-5 market leader, but he was never travelling for Graham Lee and came under pressure a long way from home before eventually falling at the second-last flight.

That left long-time leader Neptune Collonges and My Way De Solzen to fight it out, with the latter, sent off a 12-1 shot, pulling clear.

Ruby Walsh set out to make all on Neptune Collonges and he took them along at a steady early pace as Lee settled Inglis Drever in the pack.

As Neptune Collonges started to turn up the pace down the back straight, Lee was having to get to work on Inglis Drever and My Way De Solzen cruised up to take closer order.

The leading pair then settled down to battle it out as Inglis Drever weakened right out of it and a good jump at the second-last saw the winner just get his nose in front.

Robert Thornton met the last perfectly on the Alan King-trained victor and accelerated away to a five-length success.

King told BBC Sport: ``I'm thrilled with him. He loves soft ground or holding ground - it's not a problem to him.''