Crafty Roberto stuns Newbury

There was a huge shock in a dramatic opener at Newbury this afternoon as Crafty Roberto ran out a fortunate winner as favourite Grumeti crashed out.

The Berkshire Stand Bookshop Juvenile Hurdle was nearly 10 minutes late off with Circus Star spreading a plate down at the start before a false start to the heat.

When it finally got underway, Circus Star was an early casualty at the second flight which left the odds-on favourite Grumeti at the head of affairs.

Everything appeared to be going to plan for Alan King's Triumph Hurdle hope and he drew clear of two smart Flat performers, Art History and Sud Pacifique, without being asked a question.

However, with the race seemingly in the bag, Grumeti slipped on landing after the second last and Wayne Hutchinson fell out of the side door.

That left Art History in front but he was treading water on approaching the final flight as Crafty Roberto (40-1) picked him up and went on to win by a length and a half.

The bookmakers were mixed in their reaction to Grummet's performance with BetVictor leaving him at 12-1 for the Triumph but William Hill cutting him to 8-1 from 12s.

The writing looked on the wall for the odds-on favourite in the next as Bellvano loomed up to Cedre Bleu before the last fence in the Zenergi Novices' Chase.

Barry Geraghty looked ultra-confident on Nicky Henderson's charge, a winner at Punchestown last spring, and he even hit the front approaching the last.

Despite Ruby Walsh being hard at work from some way out on Cedre Bleu, to his credit he kept on battling and when Geraghty asked his mount to quicken he found nothing.

The 5-6 favourite pulled two and a half lengths clear at the line.

Walsh said: "He jumped really well, Lidar was jumping into me much of the way which didn't help but for a first-timer he's jumped well.

"I know that Bellvano doesn't find much off the bridle, so I thought if I could get him at it I had a chance and I did.

"It was his first run so he'll improve and two miles around Newbury going a good gallop, I'm happy enough."

Cedre Bleu was introduced into the Arkle betting at 33-1 by William Hill.

Carrigmorna King (6-4 favourite) finally opened his account over timber after a number of good efforts in the Rutland Antique Centre Bakewell Novices´ Hurdle.

The point-to-point winner had run up against the likes of Prospect Wells and Broadbackbob in two of his three outings over hurdles but made no mistake this time under Richard Johnson.

Phillip Hobbs` six-year-old had to fend off the tenacious challenge of Sunny Ledgend, who was carrying a penalty, but he came home a length and a quarter clear.

Timmy Murphy was seen at his brilliant best when guiding Glens Boy (6-1) to victory in the Oakley Coachbuilders Handicap Chase.

Henrietta Knight's charge was an unlucky loser at Warwick last time out when a loose horse hampered him close home which enabled him to be caught.

The double negative was a 9lb rise by the handicapper, but Murphy never gave away an inch on the eight-year-old and clung to the inside the whole way.

Ikorodu Road and Monbeg Dude were prominent throughout but Glens Boy found enough on the run-in to win by a neck and a head.

Murphy said: "I rode him the last day and he was very unlucky.

"I thought the 9lb rise was a bit harsh but he's done it nicely. He's a fabulous jumper and he travels well.

"He probably doesn't want to be in front too much.

"It's unlike me going down the inside, I normally like to give them room."