Tough jumper has Lupton spellbound after Cup win | Manawatu-Wanganui Sport | Surfing, Rugby, Soccer, Football, Cricket in Manawatu-Wanganui

Jockey Isaac Lupton didn't know what to expect when he went to ride Hypnotize in Saturday's Pakuranga Hunt Cup steeples at Ellerslie.

The only time he had seen the 11-year-old on raceday this winter was on TV. All three runs were on the flat.

So Hypnotize, trained at Whangaehu by Raymond Connors, went chasing his third Hunt Cup win with 70kg on his back without the benefit of a raceday jumping assignment in more than 12 months.

"I saw him at the Hawera jumpouts a couple of weeks ago and Raymond rode him. He must have had a decent workout with Raymond on his back," Lupton said.

But Lupton said his confidence soared on going to the start on Saturday. "He felt really bright," he said.

How right he was. Hypnotize came with his usual late charge to run down roughie Kousso in the home straight for victory and will now start the hottest of favourites in the Great Northern Steeples on Saturday week where he is expected to carry 71.5kg.

"He's a terrific little horse, but I didn't think he could do it with 70kg," said Lupton. "I was proved wrong today and I'm happy."

Hypnotize completed the Pakuranga Hunt Cup-Great Northern Steeplechase double twice, in 2007 and 2008.

Last year the son of Yamanin Vital tried the double again, but finished fourth in the Pakuranga Hunt Cup to Havana City then was runner-up to Fair King in the Great Northern.

Connors knows what is needed to win over the Ellerslie jumps country, particularly in the Great Northern, a race he won as a jockey on Our Jonty.

Just last week it was reported Connors was adamant Hypnotize would be retired after the Great Northern.

But on Saturday night he was playing his cards closer to his chest. "You never know," he told NZPA.

His father Mark, who shares in the ownership, said the Great Northern would be the horse's swansong before adding "at this stage".

Mark said retirement had been considered for Hypnotize after last year's Great Northern but following a second placing Lupton suggested a rethink.

"If he had won he probably would have been retired. But he ran second and Isaac said don't retire him ... bring him back."

Lupton could be in for a big Northern day as he likely to ride Counter Punch, the Grand National Steeples winner, in the Great Northern Hurdles.

Lupton's father Craig also enjoyed success on Saturday, winning with maiden Stainley at New Plymouth at odds of 33-1.

Stainley had soundly beaten open handicapper Samurai at the jumpouts two weeks earlier.