Jump racing's most important new partnership truly arrived after Sam Twiston-Davies rode a high-profile Cheltenham double for his boss Paul Nicholls.
It was announced at the end of April that the champion trainer had recruited one of the sport's brightest young talents and their first important win came when Twiston-Davies persisted with Sam Winner in the Murphy Group Handicap Chase.
But the best was yet to come in the Paddy Power Gold Cup as Caid Du Berlais (10-1) deprived reigning champion Johns Spirit by a head in a barnstorming finish to the Open meeting's feature event.
Nicholls had been so worried about the testing conditions he nearly pulled out the five-year-old, and he had instructed Twiston-Davies to follow Johns Spirit and keep to the better ground on the outside of the course.
Johns Spirit, who has a big following at his local course, was produced in similar fashion to 12 months ago by Richie McLernon and went clear after jumping the final fence.
Rather than 10st 2lb, though, he was saddled with 11st 12lb and the white-faced gelding could not cope with the final charge of Caid Du Berlais.
"He nearly didn't run, so that's fantastic," said Nicholls. "Sam rode him brilliantly, he just kept on the outside and followed Richie.
"When they are well things like this happen, I thought he had a chance at the last. The plan was very much about today - this was his Gold Cup.
"Sam's won with two different rides today that were top-drawer. He's a good young man, he doesn't panic and he's improving all the time. As I've said before, it's an investment for the future. This was a big day for Sam and I'm really pleased with him.
"I've not been worried about the stable form earlier this year. This is when you want them to come right - not in October. Most of the horses I've been running weren't entitled to win anyway."
Twiston-Davies added: "This is what it's all about. I've got a lot of apologising to do as I told Paul not to run him, but he travelled and jumped.
"We rode him very differently. We just let him jump away, but it was impossible to get closer without expending too much energy by going wide. In fairness, he really picked up after the last. It's only his fourth run over fences. It's a brilliant training performance."
The jockey revealed he had read criticism of himself and said: "When people want to moan or be rude about me, it makes me more willing to prove them wrong."
Johns Spirit got a terrific reception himself and trainer Jonjo O'Neill said: "He did everything right and it was just the weight that beat him. That's Cheltenham. He ran a blinder. We'll just get him home now and make a plan."
Present View, the 5-1 favourite, was third and trainer Jamie Snowden said: "He ran brilliantly, it was just the ground. It just blunted his natural enthusiasm."
Fourth home was the Nicky Henderson-trained Oscar Whisky, with the Seven Barrows trainer saying: "Barry (Geraghty) says go for the Ryanair Chase and now all we need to do is plan how to get there. He'll certainly come on for this run."
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Paul Nicholls' Sam Winner defied top weight in a gruelling renewal of the Murphy Group Handicap Chase at Cheltenham.
The former classy hurdler (15-2) lost his pitch at one point and looked like he was not going to take much interest, but Sam Twiston-Davies persevered and it paid off.
For quite some time Saint Are and The Druids Nephew looked like fighting out the finish, so well were they travelling, but Sam Winner came back on the bridle approaching the third-last and stayed on dourly to hold the latter by a length and a half.
Twiston-Davies said: "It's very hard work out there. It's a testament to him that he could win as he didn't enjoy it, it's a great bit of training. He's genuine, but very lazy, although when you need a big jump he gives you one."
Nicholls added: "He never jumped on the first circuit and nearly dropped himself out, which he did over hurdles, but I told Sam not to give up on him. He can be idle, but I thought that was as good a ride as you'll see.
"I had a big decision to make as I thought he'd run a big race in the Hennessy, but the owners wanted to run here. It would be hard to go for the Hennessy now, and I have Rocky Creek and a couple of others for that.
"He's a National horse, without a shadow of a doubt. How we get there I don't know. You could stick him in the Lexus (at Leopardstown), he just might be suited by going in a small-field conditions chase somewhere."
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Kings Palace made a foot-perfect debut over fences to win the Cheltenham Club Novices' Chase at Prestbury Park.
A leading novice over hurdles last season, David Pipe's contender bombed out in the Albert Bartlett in March when he took a tired fall at the last.
Tom Scudamore was happy to take a lead early on as he faced bigger obstacles for the first time, but took up the running after a mile and although he was in receipt of 5lb from everything else, there was little not to like.
Creepy fell on the second circuit and only Sausalito Sunrise made a race of it, but he was beaten four lengths by the 11-8 favourite.
Pipe said: "That was brilliant, he jumped well, it got better as he went on. He always looked visually like he was going to win. He was spectacular sometimes over hurdles and sometimes they don't go on over fences, but he saves a bit for the end.
"The breathing op has done no harm, but he's more relaxed at home now, he's grown up. He was a bit too relaxed early on, but I told Scu not to worry if he was.
"He handled the ground and I think he's versatile. I would have thought we'd be working backwards from Cheltenham in March and the RSA Chase."
Paddy Power cut the winner to 12-1 from 20s for that race, while Betfred also go 12-1.
Asked where he might run next, Pipe went on: "Maybe the Feltham (at Kempton on Boxing Day), we'll see. He seems to find it very easy, he's very relaxed."
Scudamore said: "There'll be bigger and better days to come, but he has done that in the manner you would have expected.
"He's just exhuberant, he didn't have to front-run but he was enjoying it as much as I was. The second horse got within four lengths, but I never felt he was going to get any closer."
Pipe and Scudamore doubled up when Katkeau defied an absence of 630 days in the Ultima Business Solutions Handicap Hurdle, with Grand National winner Pineau De Re well beaten.
Scudamore took a pull coming down the hill so well was his mount travelling, but Cesarewitch winner Big Easy was also going well in front and just for a few strides turning in it looked as if Philip Hobbs' dual-purpose performer was getting the upper hand.
But when Scudamore grabbed the rail on the 9-2 chance he found plenty for pressure to win by two and a half lengths. Pineau De Re was always in the rear under Daryl Jacob.
Pipe said: " It was his first time at the trip but he got it very well. He was keen early on and I thought Philip's horse was going a bit better, but he's stuck on really well up the hill. He had a ligament problem and our vet has done a great job with him. We thought he'd run well, but after such a long time off you're never sure."
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Philip Hobbs and Richard Johnson were back on the scoresheet for the Open meeting as Golden Doyen found plenty for pressure to win the JCB Triumph Hurdle Trial at Cheltenham.
After an opening-day treble, the duo were represented by the 13-8 favourite, who had won at Warwick recently, but another success looked unlikely coming down the hill as he was hard ridden while Baraka De Thaiz and Hargam were still on the bridle.
Golden Doyen went clear approaching the last, but on landing Hargam quickened up smartly and went to the front, only for Johnson to galvanise his mount to score by three-quarters of a length.
The jockey said: "He found a lot when I asked him. He really likes soft ground and you couldn't question his attitude. He only ran a couple of times on the Flat in France, so he's not got much experience.
"Hopefully he's Triumph Hurdle class, but I think cut in the ground is what he wants."
Hobbs added: "He was like a little terrier, really. That (the Triumph Hurdle in March) will have to be (the target) now.
"I suppose he's the best juvenile to have run so far, but at the same time it's a long way to March and there will be a lot of good Flat horses to come out jumping yet, I'm sure."
John Ferguson is quickly becoming a Cheltenham specialist after he secured his second Open meeting winner in as many days.
Prior to the Grade Two triumph of Parlour Games on Friday, the Newmarket trainer had only struck once before at Prestbury Park, but Chesterfield (8-1) was another for his tally in the Mallard Pawnbrokers And Family Jewellers Novices' Handicap Hurdle.
Noel Fehily crept along in the middle of the field, but had made his move before the last, passing Great Choice and holding him off by a length.
Ferguson said: "He's a horse we've brought on steadily through the summer and this was his biggest test. I was worried about the ground, but he does have a touch of class. He's won that off 123 so we'll see what the handicapper does and look at the programme book."
Harry Fry's Bitofapuzzle maintained her unbeaten record by just about making all the running in the Jockey Club Venues Mares' Bumper.
Fehily gradually increased the tempo after giving his mount a breather and when she quickened up she saw off everything bar Montana Belle, who briefly hit the front a furlong out. However, the giant Bitofapuzzle (4-1) knuckled down in fine style and despite giving weight away, galloped on to win by three lengths.
Fry said: "She's a joy to train, she takes all the work and loved the conditions today. To do it like she did is really exciting, especially giving weight away. She'll go hurdling now and we've got lots to look forward to. She'll be a smashing chaser one day."
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Dr Richard Newland was asked to explain the performance of his Crabbie's Grand National winner Pineau De Re by the Cheltenham stewards after he was well beaten on his return to action over hurdles.
Running in the Ultima Business Solutions Handicap Hurdle, the 11-year-old, the mount of Daryl Jacob, was always in the rear and was eventually beaten 66 lengths.
The stewards interviewed the trainer and jockey, and Jacob reported that his instructions were to try to creep into the race on the second circuit, but that he ran keenly and his big weight told in the final mile.
Newland confirmed the instructions and said they were necessary because the gelding can be very keen.
Having heard the evidence and viewed recordings of the race, the stewards noted the explanations.
Newland said: "I tried to explain to the stewards that is how he has to be ridden, so I was happy with the ride. He just got a bit tired.
"We will find him another hurdle race somewhere, perhaps even back here."
David Pipe's Katkeau won on his first start for over 600 days.
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Valseur Lido looks to have a big future over fences after running out an impressive winner of the Gain Supporting Laois GAA Beginners Chase at Punchestown.
Just behind the best novice hurdlers last year and second to esteemed Willie Mullins-trained stable companion Faugheen in a Grade One at the track, the five-year-old looked a natural over the bigger obstacles.
His stablemate Abbey Lane was still going well enough when a late faller, but Bryan Cooper appeared confident at the time and after taking over from Dromnea approaching the second-last, the 8-11 favourite was allowed to come home in his own time.
Champagne James stayed on takingly for second from some way back, but he was 11 lengths in arrears and never threatened the winner.
Cooper said: "I never felt I was in any bother, he really attacked his fences. I think that (chasing) is his game and the extra four furlongs really suited him."
Mullins added: "Two and a half miles was no problem to him. We'll probably have a look at the Drinmore now. Bryan was very happy with him, so I'm happy."
Cooper doubled up when the Mouse Morris-trained Alpha Des Obeaux (4-6 favourite) led home a Gigginstown House Stud one-two in the Visit
www.punchestown.com For All Offers Maiden Hurdle.
Altiepix attempted to lead all the way in the owners' second colours and still held the advantage on the turn into the straight, but Cooper's mount was going best and after taking it up just before the last, stretched clear to score by eight and a half lengths.
Love Rory (11-4) repeated his win of 12 months previously in the Risk Of Thunder Chase in the hands of Adrian Heskin.
Enda Bolger is usually the man to follow in races run over the banks course and so it proved once more with the cross-country master providing the first two as Keep On Track was second, beaten a length and a half, after leading from a long way out.
Cheltenham Festival winner Big Shu was sent off the 5-4 favourite but Peter Maher's charge could finish only third after holding every chance, though he didn't help his cause when he pecked on landing over the second-last.
Bolger said: " It didn't trouble me going to the last! We'll take him to Cheltenham next month. We definitely didn't want to take on that man (Balthazar King) yesterday, he wouldn't have been up to that, but it's a handicap the next day. It's starting to be the time of year for these guys."
Plinth came out on top in a dramatic finish to the Punchestown Annual Membership From 110 Euro Hurdle after the race was badly affected by the morning withdrawal of likely hot favourite Clondaw Court.
Aidan O'Brien's contender was sent off the 9-10 favourite and while he was on top when outsider Mireya fell at the last, he was having to work very hard under Mark Walsh and the result was by no means certain at that stage.
Jim Dreaper's useful staying chaser Goonyella, who attempted to make all before beating a retreat, then made up plenty of late ground to get to within half a length, though he was never catching the winner.
Walsh said: "He was stopping coming up the run-in. He might have been a fortunate winner, I thought the mare could have beaten me. I got a run on her into the straight, but I could feel her coming to me on the run to the last."
Shabra's Bertolini was a poignant winner as he provided trainer Anthony McCann with his first success in the Follow Punchestown On Facebook & Twitter Novice Handicap Hurdle. McCann has taken over the Rita Shah-owned horses following the recent death of her friend and business partner Oliver Brady.
Sent off at 14-1, 7lb claimer Jonathan Moore hit the front on the run-in and guided him to a one and three-quarter length success over Hurricane Sky.
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Battalion produced a dazzling change of gear to turn the Coral Churchill Stakes at Lingfield into a procession.
Jamie Spencer adopted positive tactics on the James Given-trained Snowmane but was swamped in the straight by Energia Fox, as he challenged over a furlong out.
However, nothing could match the acceleration of Tom Queally's mount, with the William Haggas-trained four-year-old rocketing clear inside the last furlong on the rail for what was a ready length-and-a-half success over 3-1 favourite Educate.
The 10-furlong contest was one of the fast-track qualifiers for All-Weather Championship Finals Day on Good Friday.
"Battalion was probably watching the race at Cheltenham on the big screen beforehand thinking 'crikey, I wouldn't want to do that!' and he pulled his finger out today," said Haggas of the 4-1 winner.
"I thought he had the race in his pocket with three furlongs to run last time at Newbury but he waited for the others to come by, so I asked Tom to wait a bit on him today. He has got ability and, even though he is by Authorized and out of a Halling mare, he has always had a bit of speed. This was worth a try and it has paid off.
"It's doubtful that he will run again before Good Friday, but he will be readied for that. We might go for the Winter Derby Trial, but we will see. This opens up a few avenues for us and I am glad that I have got one qualifier."
Queally added: "A change of tactics helped, just taking a lead seemed to work the oracle. William has done a good job of getting inside his head and figuring it out. The splits came at the right time and I had plenty of horse to take them when they did."
Spencer continued on an upbeat note as he counts down to retirement as he drove Intransigent to victory in the Unibet Golden Rose Stakes.
French-trained filly Fresles (20-1) ran a fine race from the front under William Buick, looking at one stage like she might have quite a few of the field at it turning for home, b ut Spencer had bided his time on the Andrew Balding-trained winner, who really picked up when asked a furlong out.
Making ground rapidly from there, the 9-4 favourite got up to deny Buick's mount by a neck, in the process qualifying for a spot on Good Friday.
Ian Balding, representing his son, said: "We have had a terrific season with our home-breds, obviously with Elm Park, Rawaki running well, Chesil Beach winning four and Intransigent. We are definitely looking forward to bringing him back for Good Friday now. He will have a bit of a winter break and will not be going out to Dubai."
Spencer said: "It's never easy to win under a penalty, regardless of the opposition, but he quickened up really well. I thought I was going to win easier than I did, he just idled a little bit when he got there."
Spencer had already taken the opener on Ralph Beckett's Chemical Charge (2-7 favourite) in the Qatar Racing colours.
Big Baz is another who could be seen on the glittering Good Friday card following an impressive victory in the Ladbrokes Handicap over a mile. The 5-2 favourite ran on well for Martin Dwyer to beat Ingleby Angel by a length and a half.
Trainer William Muir said: " It's a big choice now whether to change my mind and go for the Carnival in Dubai or give him another couple of runs and go for Good Friday. He could have a qualifying run out in Dubai, which makes it more interesting.
"Martin said that he never had to worry about finding a gap because he knew that the horse has an instant turn of foot. His half-sister is Giofra and she won a Group One, so this is a family of high-class horses."
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Colin Bowe is hoping Little King Robin's potential fitness advantage could help her cause an upset in the StanJames.com Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown.
The prolific six-year-old has already enjoyed a fantastic 2014 campaign, winning seven times over hurdles, with her tremendous front-running style most recently helping her claim a Grade Two triumph in the WKD Hurdle at Down Royal.
She faces an even tougher task this weekend as she tackles Champion Hurdle hero Jezki and hurdling great Hurricane Fly at Grade One level, but Bowe feels the time is right to take on the big guns, with the top two making their seasonal debut.
Bowe said: "I think she's entitled to have a go at it. She's in great form and she's match fit, so we'll roll the dice and see what happens.
"We thought about waiting until Christmas after Down Royal, but she's so well and there's nothing else for her between now and then.
"Why not have a crack at a Grade One and see how we get on?"
Mark Walsh has steered Little King Robin to each of her eight career victories so far, but has been claimed by owner JP McManus to partner Jezki.
As a result, amateur rider Barry O'Neill will partner Bowe's stable star and the trainer is confident he can carry out the positive tactics that have proved so potent.
"We're missing our jockey with Mark getting on Jezki, but Barry O'Neill rode the mare in point-to-points, he knows her well and he's more than capable of doing the job," said Bowe.
"We'll be sticking to our game plan. We know it suits her well, so we've no intention of changing tactics now.
"I don't know whether they'll chase her or not, we'll see. We'll probably be setting it up for the two big boys, but we're keen to give it a go."
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Cheltenham Festival hero Very Wood bids to make it two from two over fences in the Dobbins Outdoor Catering Florida Pearl Novice Chase at Punchestown.
The five-year-old was a shock 33-1 winner of the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle at Prestbury Park in March, but disappointed on his final appearance of the season at the Punchestown Festival.
He bounced back to form on his return to action, however, jumping well in the main on his way to making a winning start over the larger obstacles at Galway last month.
Trainer Noel Meade said: "He was good in Galway and did it well. He's never going to go and win very easy as he's a lazy sort of horse, but we were happy with him on the day. He's been good at home since, this is a good race and we'll see how we go."
Very Wood is one of three runners for Gigginstown House Stud in a six-strong field, with Michael O'Leary's operation also represented by the Willie Mullins-trained Security Breach and Thunder And Roses from Dessie Hughes's yard.
Mullins also saddles Indevan, who since his disappointing chase debut at Kilbeggan in June has notched a hat-trick of successes, most recently striking impressively in the Grade Three Like A Butterfly Novice Chase at Tipperary.
Speaking on his website, the trainer said: "Indevan was really good on his last couple of runs and is a course winner. He will like the trip but would possibly prefer better ground.
"Security Breach will love this ground and trip but his hurdle form suggests he may not be up to this."
Shanahan's Turn was a useful hurdler for Henry de Bromhead last season, but looks sure to scale greater heights over the larger obstacles judged on his foot-perfect debut over fences at Punchestown almost three weeks ago.
De Bromhead said: "He won nicely there on his last run and jumped well for his first run over fences. We'll step him up now and see if he can progress. We're still learning about him.
"The ground might not be ideal for him, but he won his maiden hurdle at Leopardstown in soft ground, so hopefully he'll handle conditions."
Lots Of Memories finished ahead of Shanahan's Turn, Very Wood and Thunder And Roses when third behind Beat That at Punchestown in the spring and was only narrowly denied on his first foray over the bigger obstacles at Cork recently.
Trainer Paul Fahey said: "He was the highest-rated horse in this race over hurdles and we're looking forward to running him.
"He had a nice first run over fences in Cork. He missed a couple of fences on the way round but it was a good run.
"We couldn't get much schooling into him before that as the ground was too quick, but he's schooled well since and we were pleased with the way he jumped earlier in the week. He isn't really ground dependent and we're hoping for the best."
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Noel Meade is looking forward to seeing impressive course and distance winner Chancol test the water in Graded company in the Madigans Bar Craddockstown Novice Chase at Punchestown.
The winner of a Navan bumper last season before ending his campaign with a win over hurdles at Punchestown, the JP McManus-owned five-year-old made every yard of the running on his chasing debut at the County Kildare circuit last month.
He undoubtedly has more on his plate in this weekend's Grade Two contest and Meade is keen to see if his charge is up to competing at this level.
The trainer said: "He was good at the track the last day. It's a very good race, I'm happy with him and I don't think the ground should bother him, so fingers crossed."
A six-strong field is headed by the Willie Mullins-trained Alelchi Inois, who since making a winning debut over fences at Tramore at the end of May has recorded five consecutive victories.
The champion trainer also runs Un Beau Roman, who has won over fences but has also fallen twice in four starts.
"Alelchi Inois has had a great season, but all his wins have been on far better ground. While the ground is a concern, he is in good form and should run well," Mullins said on his website.
"This is not Un Beau Roman's favoured ground and his form is probably not good enough against this opposition."
Henry de Bromhead saddles Sizing Granite, who impressed in the jumping department when beating long odds-on favourite Lieutenant Colonel on his fencing bow at Naas a fortnight ago.
He also saddles Enjoy Responsibly, who looks to have his work cut out having been well beaten in similar races the last twice.
De Bromhead said: "Sizing Granite won well in Naas the other day. He seemed to do it nicely and he took to the fences well. This is a step up, but we'll find out a bit more about him and see how we get on in this sort of grade. He won his maiden hurdle in winter ground, so conditions shouldn't bother him.
"Enjoy Responsibly won his beginners chase at Limerick during the summer and we'll see how he goes in this company."
Enjoy Responsibly is one of two runners for leading owners Gigginstown House Stud, with Eoin Griffin's Azorian looking to build on a promising third behind The Tullow Tank on his chasing debut at Fairyhouse last week.