McCoy revels in Cheltenham glory

Reveillez was a smooth winner of the Jewson Novices’ Handicap Chase on the third day of the Cheltenham Festival.

Tony McCoy had the JP McManus-owned grey handy throughout and sent him to the front on the turn for home.

The 9-2 favourite then sprinted away up the hill to beat Copsale Lad (8-1) by one and a quarter lengths, with Tumbling Dice nine lengths further away in third and Direct Flight taking fourth.

Demi Beau and Kasthari set a frenetic pace up front and opened up a healthy advantage at one point but McCoy was content to sit in third and bide his time.

He crept into it on Jame Fanshawe’s charge heading down the hill at the side of the course, although Le Volfoni was going almost as well before crashing out at the third-last.

Reveillez responded for McCoy when asked for maximum effort and despite Copsale Lad flashing home in second, favourite-backers got off to a flying start.

McCoy told Channel 4 Racing: "That's the first winner at the Festival I've ridden for JP so I'm delighted. I've had a lot of good chances and I was gutted when Straw Bear got so close (in the Supreme Novices').

“He jumped badly early in the season but I got a great view of my fences today and he never touched a twig. James Fanshawe deserves a lot of credit because he has improved a lot.”