The big race came complete with a sizable shock at Huntingdon Racecourse last Friday.

The Hunts Post: Esprit De Somoza and Lizzie Kelly after victory in the Chatteris Fen Juvenile Hurdle at Huntingdon Racecourse. Picture: STEVE DAVIESEsprit De Somoza and Lizzie Kelly after victory in the Chatteris Fen Juvenile Hurdle at Huntingdon Racecourse. Picture: STEVE DAVIES (Image: Steve Davies)

Espirit De Somoza – a 20/1 shot for jockey Lizzie Kelly – sped clear to land the Smarkets Chatteris Fen Juvenile Hurdle.

The four year-old, trained by Nick Williams, prevailed by five lengths in the five-runner contest staged over a shade under two miles.

Odds-on favourite Style De Garde, for champion trainer Nicky Henderson, could only manage a disappointing fourth place, but the stable did record three winners on the card with three different jockeys on board them.

Terrefort (6/4 favourite) obliged for Daryl Jacob in the novices’ handicap chase over two miles and four furlongs, Turtle Wars (3/1) took the two-mile maiden hurdle under Noel Fehily, and The Vocalist (2/1 favourite) landed the closing mares’ maiden hurdle in the hands of Nico de Boinville.

The opening handicap hurdle went to the David Dennis-trained Just So Cool (Kieron Edgar) and the near-three mile handicap chase was won by Fly Home Harry from the Charlie Longsdon stable. Jockey Paul O’Brien did the steering.

The next fixture at Huntingdon is on January 26.