Ahoy Senor roared back to form with victory in an eventful renewal of the Grade Two Paddy Power Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham.
Runner-up in the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase on his only previous visit to Prestbury Park, the eight-year-old had struggled this season in open company and was winning for the first time since taking the Mildmay Novices’ Chase four starts ago.
Derek Fox was content to track Bryony Frost and Frodon on the first circuit and although Sounds Russian shot clear during the second lap of the New Course, a juddering error from Ruth Jefferson’s charge four from home gave the pack chance to close the gap and most crucially Ahoy Senor the opportunity to ensure an all-northern finish to this Grade Two contest.
Neck and neck jumping the last, the duo were soon embroiled in a terrific tussle up the Cheltenham hill with Ahoy Senor prevailing by one and a half lengths and Grand National hero Noble Yeats a further length back in third.
Betfair went 10/1 from 50s for the blue riband in March, while Coral offer slightly bigger odds of 12/1.
Frodon (blue and white) leads the Cotswold Chase field in front of a packed Cheltenham crowd
Editeur Du Gite beats Edwardstone in Clarence House thriller
Editeur Du Gite and Edwardstone served up a thriller in the Albert Bartlett Clarence House Chase with Niall Houlihan on the former getting the better of a photo finish.
Gary Moore’s 14/1 shot set the pace out in front in the rearranged Grade One contest, with Amarillo Sky joining him in the early exchanges.
Editeur Du Gite (near) heads up the run-in in the Clarence House Chase ahead of Energumene and Edwardstone
Champion Chase star Energumene, who was beaten in an epic race by Shishkin last year at Ascot, stalked the pace under Paul Townend and delivered his challenge before the last.
Tom Cannon on Edwardstone, the 2022 Arkle and Tingle Creek winner, came from the rear and was the widest of the three at the last, picking up and heading the eventual winner in the final furlong.
Editeur Du Gite leads the field in the Clarence House Chase at Cheltenham
Energumene’s chances of victory were burst with a last flight error, staying on for a distant third in the end.
Meanwhile up ahead, Houlihan and Editeur Du Gite rallied on the run-in to get back past Edwardstone and claim a famous victory for the Moore team.
Sky Bet reacted by easing Energumene to 6/4 from 4/6 for the Champion Chase in March, while Edwardstone shortened to 7/4 (from 9/4) and Editeur Du Gite was cut to 9/2 (from 16s).
