Cheltenham report: Cross-country specialist Spot Thedifference once again proved age is no barrier as the 13-year-old landed the Sporting Index Handicap Chase for the second time in three years.
As he did when completing a hat-trick in the Sporting Index Chase here last month, JP McManus's evergreen gelding once again defied top weight under JT McNamara, fending off Plum'tee for a length victory.
Favourite Silver Birch was a further length and a quarter back in third.
It was Spot Thedifference's sixth victory in total over the unique contours of the Prestbury Park cross-country course and trainer Enda Bolger was almost dumbfounded following the 6 to 1 success.
"It's amazing to have a horse of his age run that well, in (soft) ground that was against him, and carry top weight. He gave me no feel whatsoever when we had a spin here, during a heavy shower, yesterday morning. He was in no mood to do anything," he admitted.
"But you must give credit to the jockey today. He was bold to ride him so close to the pace with that weight.
"We will come back for the Cross Country Chase at the Festival meeting in March and that will be his swansong."
Patsy Hall underlined his Royal & SunAlliance Novices' Chase credentials with an effortless display of jumping to win the opening Cleanevent Novices' Chase under Robert Power.
The Michael Cunningham-trained six-year-old jumped his four rivals into the ground, running out a convincing nine-length winner from Aces Four.
Cunningham is eyeing a return for the March Festival meeting with the Irish raider, and said: "Some of the lads in the yard backed him at 80 to 1 for small bits and pieces this morning, so they will be happy, especially as most of the bookmakers now make him a 16 to 1 chance (for the SunAlliance).
"He's a better horse on faster ground. It helps his jumping and he can jump out of this (soft) ground okay."
Whereareyounow also clearly loves Cheltenham and the Brendan Powell-trained nine-year-old won for the third time at Prestbury Park when taking the boylecasino.com Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Chase with ease under a positive ride from William Kennedy.
