Mohaison the star turn

Star De Mohaison completed a rare double in style when he powered home in the John Smith’s Mildmay Novices’ Chase at Aintree.

The Paul Nicholls-trained gelding was following up his victory in the season’s other top staying novice event, the Royal & SunAlliance Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, a feat last achieved by Monsieur Le Cure in 1994.

And just like at Prestbury Park it was Star De Mohaison’s jumping which stood him in good stead against a high-class field.

The well-backed 11-4 favourite pulled his way to the front with a circuit to go and galloping on relentlessly, the five-year-old saw off all challengers to beat Turpin Green and Copsale lad by two lengths and the same.

The victory earned Star De Mohaison quotes ranging from 33-1 with William Hill down to 16-1 with Stan James, Coral and the sponsors for the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup.

“He’s done something no other five-year-old has done before by landing the double and he’s carried a Grade One penalty today and he’s improving,” enthused Nicholls.

“We’ll bring him back early next year and get him ready for the Charlie Hall and then take it from there, the King George at Kempton on good ground would be a possibility. If it’s good ground the Charlie Hall would be the ideal race to start him off in.

“He may make up into a Gold Cup horse. He’s going the right way, he’s progressing and he jumps well.

“The key to him is he wouldn’t want it too soft but there are some nice races in the autumn and spring when the ground is decent.

“Barry (Geraghty) said the ground was dead enough for him today but he is a good ground horse – he loves decent ground. He struggled a little bit during the winter on soft ground but he improved once we put the tongue strap on him and he has matured.”

Geraghty added: “It was every bit as good a performance as Cheltenham and this was probably a more competitive race.

“He jumps and gallops, he got a bit close to the second-last but he jumped the last well.

“He’s a passenger job, he measures his fences well and he has a great attitude.

“He definitely could be a King George or Gold Cup horse – he’s nearly there now – but you’ll have to see what rating the handicapper gives him and judge it from there.

“He’s only five and I’m sure he can improve a bit. He’s a nice big rangy horse and he’s a really good all-rounder.”