Difference defies the years

CROSS-COUNTRY specialist Spot Thedifference defied his rising years to take the Sporting Index Steeple Chase on the first day of Cheltenham’s Open meeting yesterday.

The unique turns and obstacles might not be to everybody’s taste, but they certainly appeal to the Enda Bolger-trained 12-year-old, who won all three events staged here last season.

Sent off the 13-8 favourite, he started the new campaign as he did the last when scoring by two and a half lengths from Lord Jack under regular pilot JT McNamara.