Idaho Sun wins the Formby (:Grossick Photography/The Jockey Club)

Mydaddypaddy - beaten at Aintree (Grossick Photgraphy/The Jockey Club)

William Hill Formby: Idaho Sun too good for Mydaddypaddy

By David Ord

Horse Racing

Fri December 26, 2025 · 2h ago

Idaho Sun lowered the colours of odds-on favourite Mydaddypaddy in the Grade One William Hill Formby Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree.

The 8/13 favourite was expected to cement his position at the head of the Sky Bet Supreme market and having been anchored at the rear of the field by Harry Skelton, made smooth headway turning for home

The final two flights were bypassed because of the low sun and despite getting onto the quarters of the eventual winner, he never looked like getting past.

In fact Idaho Sun was going further clear the line, hitting it three-and-a-quarter lengths to the good.

He was cut to 14/1 from 50s by the sponsors and Paddy Power for the Sky Bet Supreme with Mydaddypaddy out to 16/1.

El Cairos, who was set to run out an impressive winner on his first start for Gordon Elliott before stumbling and falling after the last in a maiden hurdle at Leopardstown, is now the 5/1 favourite.

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Winning trainer Harry Fry said: “The horses do the talking on track and he’s done nothing wrong – he’s been beaten once in his life when he was a hands-and-heels staying-on sixth in the Champion Bumper, when he didn’t come down the hill but flew up it. He learnt plenty that day and has learnt plenty this season.

“I know they didn’t jump the two in the home straight both times, but I love his attitude and he’s a real galloper with a seriously high-class cruising speed.

“This is what we dream of – Grade Ones, exciting and unbeaten novice hurdlers. I am delighted for Jeremy Gear (owner).

“The Supreme Novices’ Hurdle is now on the agenda. We said we’d come here and then see where the land lies. I am delighted for Ciara (wife) and the whole team at home who put in so much work and effort, including Ciaran O’Shea who rides him every day.

“This is what it’s all about. He was our only runner on the day but I wasn’t worried because if you’re coming to a Grade One with a chance that’s what it’s all about.

“He won fair and square in my eyes. Another day will be another race, but we can dream and look forward to the Spring. The Supreme is very much the target and we look forward to it. He has unfinished business at Cheltenham. I’ve never come away from a race with such a case of ‘what if’, the way the race was run in the Champion Bumper.

“Bryan has formed such a great partnership with the horse and we can dream big for March.

“We’ll enjoy today. Grade Ones don’t come round too often and Metier was our last in the equivalent race back in 2021. Since then, things haven’t gone as well as we’d have liked but hopefully this is a stepping-stone towards back to being where we want to be – competing on big days with good horses for wonderful owners. That is what the sport is all about.”

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For Jeremy Gear, the winning owner, Idaho Sun’s victory invoked memories of the great Red Rum.

He said: “I think he was so under the radar but I still believed. But when you have got Dan’s (Skelton, Mydaddypaddy’s trainer) horse at 8-13 you kind of think we’re up against it.

“I have to tell you this – Red Rum is over there (pointing to the three times Grand National winner’s statue) and he was my hero when I was a child. With the second last flight being out, he came round the elbow that Red Rum used to come round, and it was as if Red Rum was by his side! I just can’t believe it.

“Harry and Ciara have said all along that this was the target and I don’t think he’ll be under the radar anymore.

“It means a huge amount to win a Grade One here. I am so pleased for Bryan Carver – he and the horse are like a centre-half partnership and have formed such a strong partnership together. Bryan did exactly what he said he would do in the parade ring and he carried that plan out to perfection.”

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