Naylor edges out Tarxien

Race goers were treated to a thrilling finish for the first race of the New Year at Cheltenham, as 5-4 chance Joss Naylor edged out odds-on favourite Tarxien.

Coming to the second last fence in the Ian Williams' Owners Novices' Chase, the two market leaders were neck and neck but a slight mistake by Tarxien and Tony McCoy, allowed Joss Naylor and Liam Cooper to gain an all important advantage.

McCoy asked the favourite for everything on the run-in and nearly regained the advantage, but Joss Naylor held on to win by a short head.

"The going is absolutely perfect," smiled winning trainer Jonjo O'Neill, as the rain poured down in the winner's enclosure.

"The SunAlliance is the long term aim but he'll have another race somewhere first.

"They were two good horses and I would have settled for a dead heat. He wouldn't have wanted to be in front so soon but when the other horse made a mistake Liam had to go for it."