Gungadu excels in chasing debut

Racing NewsGungadu ran his rivals ragged to score on his jumping debut in the Ian Williams Owners Novices' Chase at Cheltenham and provide champion trainer Paul Nicholls and jockey Ruby Walsh with a double in the process.

Despite jumping right throughout the extended three-mile race, the six-year-old made all and had only to be shaken up after the second last to assert.

The 1 to 2 favourite sauntered clear and won with his head in his chest, with Openide and Moonlit Harbour 11 lengths and 25 lengths respectively in arrears.

"To win from the front here first time over fences is awesome," said Nicholls.

"There is no plan but I might try and find something for him at the Paddy Power meeting."

VC Bet and William Hill cut the winner to 20 to 1 from 33s for the Royal and SunAlliance Chase at the Festival next March.

The first leg of the pair's short-priced brace came when Paulo Dancer made the opening Henry James Mayne Memorial Novices' Hurdle a procession.

Sent off the 8 to 15 favourite on the back of an easy success at Plumpton nine days ago, the five-year-old took control heading down the hill and steadily pulled away from his only serious rival, Legally Fast, to win by 22 lengths.

Nicholls said: "He keeps on improving and he did that well carrying a penalty . . . I think there's a two-and-a-half-mile race at the next meeting here he could go for."

Cashmans introduced the winner at 16 to 1 for the Royal and SunAlliance Hurdle.

Prolific bumper winner Roll Along made a winning start over timber with a resolute victory in the Club 16-24 Maiden Hurdle.

Ofarel D'Airy (6 to 4 favourite) held the advantage going to the last but Paul Moloney's mount cleared it much the better and the 13-8 chance passed the post with a length and a half in hand.