RACING NEWS: GARDE CHAMPETRE recorded a fifth success over the Cheltenham cross country course and followed up his recent triumph at the open meeting when bravely defying 11st 12lb under JT McNamara in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase at foggy Prestbury Park yesterday.
One of three runners for owner JP McManus and trainer Enda Bolger in the near four-mile race, Garde Champetre always travelled with purpose as stablemate Heads Onthe Ground made the running under Nina Carberry.
There were five horses in with a shout at the final obstacle, but Garde Champetre pulled out extra where it mattered to repel Sizing Australia by three-quarters of a length, with Maljimar back in third and Freneys Well fourth.
Heads Onthe Ground weakened to finish just out of the money.
“We were scared about that weight on his back and he was slipping into different shoes with JT on board,” Bolger said. “Nina had no problem stepping in with Heads, and it gave JT the opportunity to ride instead of watching the race on TV. He’s an experienced horse and, fair dues, has won with his ears pricked. It was great.”
Bolger added that Carberry would be back on board the winner at the Festival in which Bolger could also be represented by L’Ami, who has undergone wind surgery.
“I’m a lucky man having Mr McManus throwing his horses at me. They are all pretty decent in their own right.”
Spirit River (11 to 4 favourite) maintained the cracking run of owner Michael Buckley when he turned the Caspian Caviar Handicap Hurdle into a one-sided affair under Barry Geraghty.
The top weight was in control at the bottom of the hill and maintained a strong gallop all the way to the line to the delight of trainer Nicky Henderson.
“He goes in that ground and he stays,” said Henderson with a rueful smile. “He’s only four and is a lovely big horse. There was a temptation to go chasing but we’ll put it off for now. Michael’s having a great run and I’m thrilled for him.”
Spirit River had finished just out of the money on his first run for the Seven Barrows trainer in a conditional jockeys’ race at Newbury.
“It was a boys’ race and my two runners came fourth and fifth, but he finished very well.
“That was the only race I could find to get him started and learn something about English racing.”
General Miller formed the clinching leg of a double for Henderson and Barry Geraghty as he fought like a tiger to deny Ghizao in the EBF “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle.
The 5 to 1 shot preserved his unbeaten record with a display that stamps him as a contender for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, for which he was given a 16 to 1 quote by Paddy Power.
Ghizao looked all set for victory when Lidar dropped away, with Ruby Walsh sitting pretty on the odds-on chance.
However, Geraghty bided his time, and when it came to a fight up the final hill General Miller found more to prevail in a driving finish.
Henderson praised the work of former employee Marcus Foley, who had given General Miller some intensive schooling at his base near Marlborough.
“Marcus was the best schooling jockey you could wish to find and after sending this horse to him for 10 days he came back a different horse jumping-wise.
“That was a good race and it was a good performance. When we started with him he didn’t find the jumping at all easy, but Marcus has really helped him get his brain into gear.”
General Miller, who summered at owner Henry Posonby’s stud in North Yorkshire, is certainly bred for the job as he’s from the family of Champion Hurdle winner Royal Gait.
