Cheltenham: Chantry Home rolls again the years with decisive victory for Nicky Henderson | Racing Information

Chantry Home rolled again the years to take the Betfair Handicap Chase in decisive trend at Cheltenham.

The Nicky Henderson veteran gained twice in Grade 1 throughout his Novice Chaser years, successful each the Cheltenham Competition and Aintree in 2021.

He would go on to change into a Gold Cup contender the next yr, however was held again within the blue ribbon after successful the Cotswold Chase on trial day. Since then he has struggled for wins and has not too long ago been seen campaigning over hurdles.

Returning to the larger hurdles on his eleventh birthday, Chantry Home confirmed loads of his outdated enthusiasm when he was despatched off at 8-1 and traveled kindly for his rider Nico de Boinville to search out Ben Pauling’s Bowtogreatness and Our Energy by Sam Thomas in Legislation.

He was delivered by De Boinville heading into the ultimate earlier than galloping house six and a half lengths forward of Our Energy who edged out Bowtogreatness for second place. Nigel Twiston-Davies’ 5-6 favourite Broadway Boy was properly positioned in fourth.

A stunned Henderson instructed ITV Racing: “The plan was to go searching with him and I simply wanted to satisfy him once more to arrange him.

“I am unsure we did not make a mistake and I am unsure he is nonetheless eligible (for chases) now – he may need to go and win a Grand Nationwide or one thing. form as an alternative!

“It type of set me again and we have been simply attempting to rekindle his enthusiasm as a result of he was a really, superb horse. We would must rethink.

“He is been actually having fun with himself and he hasn’t been over hurdles for a very long time solely as a result of he had a fall at Wetherby a couple of years in the past which actually damage him and knocked his confidence.

“He is spent the final yr working hurdles on and off and it has been exhausting work, I’ve to confess, however he is simply beautiful.

“He jumped properly, traveled properly and he simply adopted them. I assumed he was going to get drained, nevertheless it’s good to see him come again and do this. It was a little bit sudden on the time though I I’ve to confess it.”

Kalif Du Berlais impresses for Workforce Ditchat

Kalif Du Berlais obtained Paul Nicholls’ new yr off to a flying begin with a cold show within the opening Sonic The Hedgehog 3 In Cinemas Now Novices’ Restricted Handicap Chase at Cheltenham.

A few of Ditcheat’s drivers had didn’t shine over the Christmas interval, notably Regent’s Stroll who was a overwhelmed favourite in the identical colours of co-owner Sir Alex Ferguson at Newbury final Saturday.

Nevertheless, there have been no such issues for 4-7 favourite Kalif Du Berlais, who simply dispatched his two rivals underneath an motionless Harry Cobden to construct on his fall victory.

Cobden instructed Racing TV: “We all the time actually preferred him and he was very fortunate to not get injured at Carlisle the primary time when he had a horrible fall within the ditch.

“In the present day the plan was to take the lead, however I did not assume we have been going too quick, so I simply let him play and I assumed his jumps have been improbable.

“He would not journey like a five-year-old and he simply did it in the present day. It was all very assured and there was by no means actually any doubt.

“We have now a variety of choices as to the place we are able to go and he’ll undoubtedly go two and a half miles. However he is solely 5, proper, so he in all probability would not need tons of kilometers on the clock at a younger age We I am fortunate to have him.

Diva Luna (5-4 favorite) bravely held off the problem of Newton Twister to win the Richmond Villages And Bupa Care Properties Maiden Hurdle.

Skilled by Ben Pauling and ridden by Kielan Woods, Diva Luna gained Grade 2 at Aintree however suffered a shock setback when overwhelmed on her hurdles bow final month.

The six-year-old made amends with a brave efficiency, digging deep after leaping the final to carry on for a one and three-quarter size verdict that noticed her decreased to 14-1 in 25 seconds with Paddy Energy for mares. “Novices” race on the Competition in March.