Itoldyou has the last word
Jewell had long targeted the nine-year-old at this marathon handicap chase, though he blotted his copybook when falling in his prep race on this track three weeks ago.
However, Itoldyou (11-1) delivered on the day that mattered as Tom Cannon brought him through to lead two out and stick on stoutly to score by two lengths.
Viking Blond got up for second just ahead of last year’s winner Reblis, with long-time leader Gorgehous Lliege and Ballyvoneen hot on their heels in a bunched finish for minor honours.
“It’s fantastic. It’s a race I’ve always wanted to win,” said Jewell.
“We’re a small yard and we’ve got very supportive owners.
“This has been our target for a while. Obviously, we had a bit of a hiccup in his preparation with his last run, but he’s come good.”
Cannon said: “I’ve ridden him in the past and I knew he’d got ability and everything went to plan.
“I had a good tow into the race and probably got there a little too soon and was pulling himself up in front, but I had a bit left if one came to me.
“I lost my claim on one of Linda’s horse. She’s local, this is a big local race and it couldn’t be better.”
Grumeti (11-4) had earlier shown battling form over fences with victory in the Follow AtTheRaces On Twitter Novices’ Chase.
The Grade One-winning hurdler made a fine chasing bow at Bangor earlier in the year but was disappointing upon his return to the track at Warwick in November.
All was forgiven in this two-mile-one-furlong affair as Alan King’s inmate responded manfully under pretty intense pressure to defeat Chris Pea Green by a length and a quarter.
King said: “He jumped well but that wouldn’t be his ground.”
