MR VANGO was such a dominant winner of the Devon National that he could turn round and laugh at his rivals as they past the post behind him.
The 11-4 favourite pummelled sorry rivals by an astonishing 60 LENGTHS in the marathon 3m6f contest.
He was so far clear that one punter labelled his performance ‘insane’ – while another purred: “That may be one of the greatest displays I’ve ever seen.”
And the funny thing is it never for one moment looked in doubt.
Mr Vango, an eight-year-old gelding trained by Mark Bradstock, was having just his second run ever over fences when jockey Ben Jones kicked on at the start of the Class 3 contest.
Quickly settling into a beautiful rhythm up front, he seemed to glide over the mud while the other seven runners either fell, were pulled up or finished miles behind.
The only slight scare came three from home when he took a chunk out of the fence with a clumsy jump.
But there was never a moment’s worry after that.
Cameras captured Jones sauntering over the line with the remaining horses still having a fence left to jump.
It was similar to Nassalam’s destruction of rivals in the Welsh Grand National last December.
But this winning margin was, incredibly, almost double the amount Gary Moore’s charge won by.
Victory at Exeter on Friday was worth a shade under £1,500 to connections.
But far, far greater riches lie ahead – and that includes a possible run at Cheltenham Festival.
Mr Vango could go for the National Hunt Chase, but connections will surely be eager to preserve his mark a fraction longer and look to exploit it some more.
Although he can expect an almighty hit from the handicapper after his astonishing rout.
One punter watching at home said: “Mr Vango is a serious weapon of a horse!”
Another wrote: “Won’t see an easier winner of a jumps race for weeks.”
While a third posted: “Is Mr Vango the best horse on the planet or something? What have I just watched!”
Former jockey Lizzie Kelly said on Racing TV: “He was a sight to behold. He travelled really nicely and he has a massive stride.
“This was a fantastic performance! He ate up the ground and it never looked like he would be passed.
“The rest of them didn’t have a hope.”
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