Legend causes stir in Plate

Holmwood Legend sprang a 25-1 surprise to lift the Byrne Group Plate at Cheltenham for trainer Pat Rodford and 3lb claimer Keiran Burke.

The winning combination had finished second with Sparky May on Tuesday and went one better with the 10-year-old, who had too much fire-power the opposition.

Carrying a 5lb penalty for a success at Sandown on Saturday, Holmwood Legend came through to lead two out and go on to beat the pacesetting Aimigayle (25-1) by three and a half lengths.

The gambled-on 9-2 favourite Beautiful Sound stayed on well for third, a further length and three-quarters away third, with Consigliere (20-1) fourth.

Burke said: ``We ran a really nice filly on Tuesday (Sparky May) but got beaten by a really good horse in Quevega but we didn't really expect this one.

“It’s absolutely unbelievable, it’s every jockey’s dream. This horse has been a legend today.

“We got 10 horses and two good enough for Cheltenham this year, hopefully we’ll have 10 next year.”

Somerset-based Rodford is due to retire this spring when he will hand over the reins to Burke.

He said: “This one is improving hand over fist and if he hadn’t won on Saturday he wouldn’t have got in this race.

“Before this year I’d had one runner at the Festival, and he fell at the first.

“I’ve put off retirement for the Festival.

“I won’t retire yet as Keiran hasn’t got his licence just yet.”

Rodford added: ``We were beaten by an aeroplane (Quevega) on Tuesday and this horse has gone under the radar a bit but he won well last time.

“Keiran has given him a brilliant ride.”