Kap Vert delivered a stunning 20-1 upset to claim victory in the Scottish Grand National at Ayr, marking a major milestone for his training partnership.
In just his fifth race over fences, the six-year-old gelding showed remarkable composure under jockey Sean Houlihan, traveling strongly throughout the demanding contest. The inexperienced contender overcame significant questions about his ability to handle the distance, ground conditions, and left-handed track.
Midlands National champion Isaac Des Obeaux appeared poised for victory but faded to fourth place in the final stages. Git Maker finished a length and a half behind Kap Vert in second, narrowly holding off the 4-1 favorite Kim Roque who settled for third.
The triumph represents the biggest win for the training partnership of Philip Hobbs and Johnson White since they began their joint venture. White expressed both surprise and excitement about the horse's performance.
"There were a lot of unknowns about Kap Vert today—the distance, the ground, going left-handed—but he answered every question with flying colors," White told Racing TV. "This opens up numerous possibilities for next season. He'll enjoy a well-deserved summer break before we start planning future campaigns. Aintree is certainly in the back of my mind, though we'll need to ensure he's competing at the right rating."
The victory caps a remarkable rise for a horse with limited experience over fences, proving that sometimes the biggest surprises come from the most unexpected contenders.