Espoir D'Allen ridden by Mark Walsh clears the final fence during the Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy. Michael Steele/Getty Images
Espoir D’Allen was a shock winner of the Unibet Champion Hurdle after Buveur D’Air fell.
Gavin Cromwell’s five-year-old scored by a commanding 15 lengths at 16-1 – providing owner JP McManus with the winner in any case despite the departure of his Buveur D’Air, who was bidding to become the sixth horse to win the great race three times.
Espoir D’Allen, ridden by Mark Walsh, was far too good as he strode clear of Melon and Silver Streak – with the top three in the betting all unplaced.
