Nicanor floors Denman

Nicanor gave the huge Irish contingent plenty to cheer about as he took the Royal & SunAlliance Novices’ Hurdle on day two of the Cheltenham Festival.

Noel Meade’s charge was cruising approaching the final bend as hot favourite Denman hit the front and Paul Carberry just bided his time on the 17-2 shot before easing away on the run-in.

Denman, the 11-10 market leader, had to settle for second, with the mare Refinement staying on up the hill to claim third.