Jewson joy for super Sir

Sir Des Champs maintained his unbeaten record for Willie Mullins with a clear-cut victory in the Jewson Novices’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

The six-year-old, ridden by Davy Russell, shrugged off the attentions of Champion Court after the last to bound clear for a convincing four-and-a-half-length success.

For Non Stop was another nine lengths back in third, while fancied runners Peddlers Cross and Cristal Bonus were both disappointing as Sir Des Champs (3-1) proved a classy winner.

Champion Court and Zaynar took the field along in turns, with Micheal Flips close up and Sir Des Champs not too far away.

Cristal Bonus was soon struggling, while Peddlers Cross lost as good early pitch and a couple of mistakes saw him lose further ground.

Champion Court went on at the 11th fence, but Mullins representative followed his move and the battled it out over the last couple of fences.

The Irish raider then showed his superiority to score in tremendous style for owners Gigginstown House Stud, the racing establishment of Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary.

Winning jockey Russell said: ``He's a very good horse.

“A lot of the credit should go to Aaron Madden who absolutely adores this horse, and since the first day he landed he’s looked after him and he’s done such a wonderful job.

“He jumped every fence, he never missed a beat.”

Owner Michael O’Leary, who sponsors the feature race of the day, the Ryanair Chase, said: “It was a wonderful ride by Davy.

“We’ve been hitting the crossbar all week so it’s great to finally stick one in the net.

“It’s hard to know what you’ve got until you get here. Willie brought him along slowly and probably thought he wanted a lot further – he could have run in the other race (RSA Chase).

“We went close in that with First Lieutenant but we’ve won this.”