Dionn Righ could be Cheltenham runner

Dionn Righ could head for the Cheltenham Festival after producing a dour staying performance to take the Lonsdale Leisure (Carlisle) Novices’ Chase at Sedgefield.

The 133rd Year of the National Hunt Steeple Chase Challenge Cup on the Wednesday of the Festival could be the target for Howard Johnson’s runner.

The ground had earlier been described as ‘horrific’ by rider Graham Lee and it was no wonder a steady pace was set, but the three mile, three furlongs still took a lot of getting.

It was Dionn Righ’s bottomless stamina which won the day as he collared King’s Bounty in the last 100 yards and then edged one and a quarter lengths clear.

There should be better to come too, as Johnson explained.

“This horse is still not ready as I have been easy on him,” he said. “He is having a good blow and Graham says he will be a proper Eider Chase horse next season.

“He is very clever and can put his feet anywhere to get out of trouble – he jumps and stays and could be just the horse for the four-miler at the Festival next month which we won a few year’s ago with Ushers Island.”

Russ Garritty rode King’s Bounty, and he went one better half an hour later when he gave St Matthew a fine ride to gamely take the Alpha 1032 Novices Hurdle after which he suggested a trip to Aintree to trainer George Moore.

Moore explained: “Russ is the best schooling jockey we have ever had and he is a not a bad race jockey either is he?

“He said three miles at Liverpool (Aintree) will suit St Matthew nicely so we will have a look at the novice race there – he will go on any ground, though I would not run him on firm.”