Cause Of Causes gives JP McManus perfect present

Cause Of Causes gave his owner JP McManus a special 64th birthday present when opening his account over fences in the Toby Balding National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham.

Jamie Codd kept the Gordon Elliott-trained seven-year-old at the rear of the field for most of the four-mile stamina test before producing him to lead before they steered round the bypassed final fence.

Cause Of Causes (8-1) galloped on resolutely to keep Broadway Buffalo (12-1) at bay by a length and a half and do his Crabbie’s Grand National hopes no harm.