Racing:Another Saturday, another big winner for Paul Nicholls and Ruby Walsh as Poquelin powered to victory in the Boylesports.com Gold Cup at Cheltenham.
Sent off the well-backed 7-2 favourite after finishing second in the Paddy Power Gold Cup last month, a fine leap at the last sealed matters for Poquelin and he roared away up the hill to beat the front-running Razor Royale by seven lengths.
Skippers Brig was a gallant third with Chapoturgeon, a stablemate of the winner, fourth after almost parting company with Daryl Jacob at the last.
Walsh said: “He jumped like a stag, he travelled well and got the trip really well.
“His jumping was impeccable today and he’s improved no end. The step up in trip has really helped him, they go that yard slower.”
Victor Chandler were also impressed and cut Poquelin to 6-1 second-favourite from 10s for the Ryanair Chase at the Festival in March.
Nicholls said: “Last year he didn’t perform at all and we don’t know why. But now he is running as well as ever and after this I shall leave him alone until the Ryanair.
“Ruby actually schooled him yesterday and he jumped so much better today, which made the difference. He rode here yesterday and said the ground was good enough for us to run.
Tom George notched a first Cheltenham double when Tell Massini followed the example of Olofi in the first by landing the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle in clear-cut fashion.
Brennan always had the 4-5 shot in contention and held a definite edge when market rival The Minack blundered away his chance at the top of the hill.
Keeping his mount wide into the home straight, Brennan allowed the chasers to close the gap until letting out an extra inch of rein on the run-in.
This allowed Tell Massini to power two and a half lengths and eight clear of Kennel Hill and the gallant Grand National winner Mon Mome.
French Opera handled ground considered unsuitably soft to land the Jenny Mould Memorial Handicap Chase in the hands of Barry Geraghty.
Judy Wilson and Martin Landau’s gelding gradually worked his way into the race and was clearly going best when Geraghty sent him to the front two out.
The 7-2 chance edged left to claim the far rail on the run-in and readily held Free World and Safari Journey a length and a quarter and two and three-quarter lengths.
Inchidaly Rock revelled in the conditions to take the Ryman The Stationer Novices’ Chase.
The even-money favourite was a bit sticky at one of the early fences but his jumping got better the further he went and running down the hill only Hey Big Spender stood in the way of victory.
The latter had travelled well on the bridle, but once challenged quickly gave way to Inchidaly Rock who gradually forged clear to score by nine lengths. There was a gap of 14 lengths back to Mobaasher in third.
Olofi attracted quotes of 25-1 for the JCB Triumph Hurdle when outstaying George Nympton up the final hill in the Cheltenham Military Charity Ball Juvenile Novices’ Hurdle.
George’s grey had acquitted himself well when third in a Grade Two hurdle at the Open fixture and in scoring by two and three-quarter lengths under Brennan demonstrated his liking for a battle.
There were still four in with a shout at the last, including the 2-1 favourite Ultimate, but it was 100-30 shot Olofi who found the greatest resolve.
CHELTENHAM RESULTS
12.10
1 Olofi (P J Brennan) 10-3
2 George Nympton (D Jacob) 8-1
3 Bocamix (P Kinsella) 11-2
4 Ultimate 2-1 Fav
11 ran
12.45
1 Inchidaly Rock (R Walsh) Evens Fav
2 Hey Big Spender (J Tizzard) 11-2
3 Mobaasher (A Coleman) 9-2
4 Zemsky 3-1
6 ran
1.15
1 French Opera (B J Geraghty) 7-2
2 Free World (R Walsh) 10-1
3 Safari Journey (R Flint) 16-1
4 Mill House Girl 18-1
12 ran
1.50
1 Tell Massini (P J Brennan) 4-5 Fav
2 Kennel Hill (S E Durack) 100-1
3 Mon Mome (A Coleman) 20-1
4 Lord Generous 7-1
8 ran
2.25
1 Poquelin (R Walsh) 7-2 Fav
2 Razor Royale (P J Brennan) 8-1
3 Skippers Brig (B Harding) 15-2
4 Chapoturgeon (D Jacob) 13-2
17 ran