Ghizao throws down Arkle marker

Ghizao made virtually all the running to take the Independent Newspaper Novices' Chase at Cheltenham with a superb round of jumping today.

The Paul Nicholls-trained six-year-old had been beaten by Kilmurry on his chasing debut over the course and distance last month but turned that form around in spectacular fashion.

That rival was beaten well before the turn for home and it was Irish raider Loosen My Load who looked the biggest threat.

However, he was shrugged off come the second-last and Ghizao (13-2) bounded up the hill under Timmy Murphy to score by 10 lengths from Captain Chris, who jumped well on his fencing debut and stayed on well for second.

"He was a very good jumper of hurdles. He jumped them like he wanted a fence," said Murphy.

"The ground was a big factor today. He was very accurate and very neat.

"The second-last might be a bit close to that bend and it draws you into it a bit, but he was fabulous."

Nicholls added: "I had a nice bet on him at 8-1. I couldn't believe the way he drifted like he did.

"He's a decent horse and just needed the run the last day here. I said beforehand he'd improved enormously.

"He jumps really well. The last experience didn't do him any harm. Once he was beat Ruby (Walsh) looked after him.

"He was struggling with his breathing, he had an op in the summer which was why we were late starting him and why he needed the run last time.

"I've always believed in him and today he had to deliver and he has thankfully.

"He jumps well and keeps galloping. Obviously the Arkle is where we will head now, but I hadn't thought further than today, maybe something like the Henry VII at Sandown might be an option.

"He worked brilliantly with Master Minded on Wednesday and I thought we might be getting somewhere with him and today he has proved it."

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Page 2: 14:01Gauvain sprang a 16-1 surprise on his return to action after 576 days in the Sinbad Testimonial 2010/2011 Chase.

The Nick Williams-trained eight-year-old showed no signs of rustiness as he galloped on strongly to beat Forpadydeplasterer by four lengths.

Tataniano set a strong pace but he looked a sitting duck three out with Forpadydeplasterer and Gauvain breathing down his neck.

Daryl Jacob looked full of confidence on Gauvain and timed his move to perfection to land the spoils.

"That was unbelievable. Nick, his wife Jane, and all the staff have done a great job with this horse," said Jacob.

"He's been off the track a long time, but he jumped and travelled great and from three out he always looked the winner.

"There was a good strong gallop set by Tataniano. I got him settled and he jumped well."

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Page 3: 14:23Williams added: "I'm thrilled, but very surprised. I've had him for about four months. I suppose he'll have one or two more runs before the Champion Chase."

Forpadydeplasterer is set to step up in trip after finishing second for the seventh successive time.

His trainer Tom Cooper said: "The ground is very dead and I think he may well step up in distance a bit now.

"If the ground is decent in the King George he'll run there and he'll also have an entry in the Lexus."

Nicholls said of third home Tataniano: "He'd had a run last year before he won here, and the only target I've got is the spring and how to get him there (Queen Mother Champion Chase) in good order.

"Spring ground will be better for him, but don't take anything away from Nick Williams, that was a great training performance.

"I think the Desert Orchid at Kempton over Christmas might suit him."

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Page 4: 14:47Menorah (6-1) put up a classy performance to defy top weight in the Greatwood Handicap Hurdle.

Winner of the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at the Festival, Philip Hobbs' charge made his challenge on the stands rail but nodded on landing after jumping the last.

Bothy (16-1), who was receiving 24lb from Menorah, put up stern resistance but could not quite get in front and eventually had to give in by a neck.

Manyriverstocross, the 11-2 favourite, was five lengths away in third place and Any Given Day was fourth.

"I'm very impressed. With top weight today on that ground I thought it would be hard for him," said the delighted winning rider Richard Johnson.

"To be fair to him, he stumbled at the back of the last. If he hadn't done that I think he would have won a bit easier.

"It's just fantastic to have a horse like this for the future.

"When I asked him after the last, he just knuckled down and kept finding more and more.

"He's very good, he was last year, and hopefully we have found the key to him now."

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Page 5: 14:48Hobbs added: "It was a very good performance, especially as he had to go so wide as the ground was definitely better wider, and ideally he doesn't want it too soft.

"He knocked the third-last out of the ground. Normally his jumping is very good, but in spite of all that he still won so we're very pleased.

"He's only five and I hope there's room for a fair bit of improvement. Let's hope he's up there with my two previous winners of this race, Rooster Booster and Detroit City.

"After today you'd imagine we'd have to go the conditions hurdle route depending on what the handicapper does.

"I suppose the old Bula Hurdle back here might be next, but he'd have a large penalty in that. Otherwise he'd go for the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton. It will be one or the other."

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Page 6: 15:32Grands Crus (5-1) came out on top for the David Pipe stable with a clear-cut win in the Paddy Power Intermediate Handicap Hurdle.

Tom Scudamore sent the grey past For Non Stop before the turn in the straight and bounded clear to beat that rival by six lengths.

Kings Legacy was 11 lengths further back in third and Hidden Keel was fourth.

"He's done it nicely. He was a bit keen early on. I tried to drop him in but he pulled his way there," said Scudamore.

"Once he settled, they hadn't gone much of a gallop, it all worked out perfectly in the end. He's got some good form from last season."

Pipe said of the last winner: "He has always been a horse I thought a lot of but I thought he would come on a bit for the run and it was a question of whether he finished up the hill.

"There is the option of going for the valuable three-mile handicap hurdle at Haydock next weekend, as he has taken quick races in the past."