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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Melissa Jones

Soccer Saturday's Jeff Stelling thrilled with his horse's win in front of Harry Redknapp

Jeff Stelling's horse sparked celebrations with a brave home win in front of Harry Redknapp.

The legendary Soccer Saturday host was thrilled when Organdi scored at Warwick for jockey Sam Twiston-Davies.

Former Tottenham and West Ham manager Redknapp was at Warwick where the chaser recorded the ideal result. He was invited to Tuesday's fixture as a guest of sponsors Poundland – and was joined by former sprint and hurdling great Colin Jackson.

Instead of the usual 90 minutes for the football contingent, Organdi took just over six to complete the Weatherbys nhstallions.co.uk Handicap Chase. The ten-year-old mare answered Twiston-Davies' every call to stay in front of the runner-up Irish Prophecy by a neck.

Stelling, who owns the horse in a 20-strong syndicate with fellow broadcasters John Inverdale and Sybil Ruscoe, was proud of the performance.

"What a great and gutsy performance by the mare Organdi at Warwick today," he tweeted. "Well done @RTPhillips1 and Sam Twiston-Davies #girlpower."

Overall Organdi has scooped nearly £45,000 in her races, a record which now features five wins and six places.

Redknapp, who also has a number of racehorses in training, did not have any runners at the meeting. He has said that jumps trainers are trying to convince him to sell his number one thoroughbred on the Flat this summer, the 97-rated stayer Moktasaab.

After Organdi's success, ex-Top of the Pops presenter Ruscoe sent a picture of their pride and joy in the winners' enclosure to Stelling.

Organdi races in the colours of the Beautiful People syndicate (Phil Mingo/PPAUK/REX/Shutterstock)

"How gorgeous does she look !!!! X," he replied.

Trainer Richard Phillips hailed Twiston-Davies' efforts in the saddle and the thoroughbred's attitude for the job. He suggested the French-bred ten-year-old might be capable of winning a bigger prize granted suitable conditions.

"It was great that so many members of her patient syndicate were present to witness her memorable win," he wrote on his blog.

"She loved the step up in trip and the good ground and Sam rode her with great confidence throughout. She had been out in front a fair time and responded once challenged by the runner up. Organdi appears fine this morning and we will see what the handicapper does to her mark before deciding on her next target but hopefully we will have a dry autumn and she will have plenty of options between now and Christmas.

"Long term, there will hopefully be a decent staying chase in her in the spring when her favoured ground returns and accurate jumping and stamina appear to be her forte."

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