Twist heading back to Sandown
The Paul Nicholls-trained eight-year-old headed to the Festival in the form of his life following victories in the Tingle Creek and Victor Chandler Chase, but was pulled up after making a costly error four fences from home.
Part-owner Barry Fulton is delighted to report his charge is none the worse and the Celebration Chase, which he won 12 months ago, is now on Twist Magic’s radar.
“He’s come out of it absolutely fine, that mistake at the fourth-last just knocked the stuffing out of him,” said Fulton.
“I think the jockey was fairly easy on him afterwards so he should be fresh enough to go again and we’ll probably head back to Sandown for the Celebration Chase.
“He’s won at Punchestown before as well so we’ll have a look at that, but I guess the Irish horses will stay over there and go for their own race, so we might be better going to Sandown as we know he loves the place.
“It was just one of those things at Cheltenham as if you make a mistake in a two-mile race round there, you don’t win.
“The main thing is he’s come back in one piece and we’ll now look for the next opportunity.
“It’s been a fantastic season as he’s already won two Grade Ones so I can’t really complain, but Cheltenham is the place you want to win.
“Having already beaten the first and second this season you’d have thought we’d have finished a bit closer so it’s disappointing, but we live to fight another day.”
There will be those who argue that Twist Magic’s latest disappointing effort supports the theory that he does not handle Cheltenham, but Fulton is refusing to rule out a return in 12 months’ time.
“I’m always keen to go to Cheltenham,” the owner added. “I’m not sure Paul is quite as keen as the owners but it’s a long way off and there is not a lot else for him in March, so we’ll just have to see.”
