Present View survived a lengthy stewards’ inquiry to give trainer Jamie Snowden a first Festival winner as he held Attaglance in a dramatic finish to the Rewards4Racing Novices’ Handicap Chase, the final race on day one of the Cheltenham Festival.

Robert Cooper threw his whip away passing the line in a moment of irony after winning the SIS Live Handicap Chase at Fontwell.

GRADUATION NIGHT sidestepped a Grade One engagement earlier in the week and the Lynn Higgins 60th Birthday Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase at Doncaster is an eminently more winnable contest.

Grands Crus heads a stellar cast of nine entries for the williamhill.com Feltham Novices’ Chase at Kempton on St Stephen's Day.

Nictory Vote booked his ticket to the Cheltenham Festival with a comfortable success at Taunton - the second leg of a double on the card for Paul Nicholls and Ruby Walsh.

CHAMPION trainer Paul Nicholls will call on the likes of Kauto Star and Denman at the Cheltenham Festival next month.

Champion trainer Paul Nicholls will call on the likes of Kauto Star and Denman at the Cheltenham Festival next month but of his more low-profile contenders, he is particularly keen on the chance of Nycteos in the Racing Post Plate.

Nicky Henderson had more than one reason to celebrate after Sandown beat the elements as he witnessed his pupil assistant Jamie Snowden land the Royal Artillery Gold Cup.

TONY McCOY showed he is just at home riding big-priced winners as he is odds-on favourites when he partnered Alright Now M’Lad to victory at Plumpton.

Whitenzo was well backed with both Coral and William Hill yesterday for the Betfred Gold Cup at Sandown on Saturday.

Jamie Snowden claimed the riding honours on Grand Military Gold Cup day at Sandown Park with a double highlighted by the feature-race success of hot favourite Whitenzo.

Beau Supreme continued on an upward curve at Ludlow yesterday and left trainer Chris Down wondering whether a trip to the Cheltenham Festival might be in order.