Scorthy Champ reverses form with Henri Matisse in National Stakes

Scorthy Champ inflicted a shock defeat on the previously unbeaten Henri Matisse in the Goffs Vincent O'Brien National Stakes at the Curragh.

Henri Matisse had won each of his three previous starts for Aidan O’Brien, completing his hat-trick with a clear-cut victory in the Group Two Futurity Stakes over this course and distance three weeks ago despite jinking close to the finish.

The Wootton Bassett colt was the 5-6 favourite to make it four from four on his Group One debut, but his wayward tendencies were again in evidence and this time he did not get away with it.

Having made a winning debut at Leopardstown in mid-May, the Joseph O’Brien-trained Scorthy Champ made late headway to finish third in the Futurity after a tardy start and was a 12-1 shot for the rematch.

Dylan Browne McMonagle’s mount broke smarter this time around and after being produced to lead, he stayed straight and true, whereas Henri Matisse wandered left and right when coming under pressure and was three-quarters of a length behind at the line.

Hugo Palmer’s British raider Seagulls Eleven shaped with plenty of promise in third.

Scorthy Champ (12-1) reverses form with Futurity winner Henri Matisse to claim the Goffs Vincent O'Brien National Stakes at the Curragh for Dylan Browne McMonagle and Joseph O'Brien. pic.twitter.com/OVBj5kpp0Z

"It’s a special day. I’m really happy with the horse and it was a fantastic ride from Dylan," the winning trainer told RTÉ Sport.

"He had a really good debut and the form of that maiden worked out really well. He came back here the last day off a lay-off and we knew whatever happened that we were going to be better after the run.

"I’m not saying we’d thought we’d win today but we thought we’d run a big race and I thought he was