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Gauvain wins Shloer Chase at Cheltenham
2.20pm: Gauvain secured back-to-back victories in the Shloer Chase. Nick Williams' gelding, the 2-1 second-favourite, took a more competitive renewal a year ago but Noel Fehily had a more or less armchair ride to cruise 16 lengths clear of the 11-10 favourite Woolcombe Folly.
Fehily said: "Nick Williams had him very fit on the day and he looked brilliant in the paddock. He's a bit of a character, but on some days he's better than others."
In the Independent Newspaper Novices' Chase, Al Ferof made an ultra-impressive winning debut over fences. Winner of the Supreme Novices' Hurdle in March, the Paul Nicholls-trained grey was never out of second gear in beating some above-average rivals.
Ruby Walsh set off a very strong early pace before following Astracad off the home turn. The 5-6 favourite was immaculate at the final two fences before easing clear to win by seven lengths to give Nicholls his fourth successive win in the race. Press Association
Today's best bets, by Will Hayler
Having never ventured past the entrance to Cheltenham's shopping village before (due to a lack of need for a big hat, or a posh walking stick) I wasn't really prepared for the sight that greeted me at the new Outside Chance bar. Well over three hours after the last race, part of the racecourse was still literally rocking, the dancefloor being packed with boys who were all wearing those odd, long brown coats with black leather lapels which are only worn by racehorse trainers and their young male offspring and well-adorned young girls knocking back champagne.
Celebrity spotters could have seen Barry Geraghty and Tom Scudamore on the dancefloor, while the likes of rookie trainer Tom Symonds, Doncaster Bloodstock director and auctioneer Tim Kent and John Quinn's son, Sean, were all bouncing up and down to the very last note when the lights went up at 8pm.
Frankly, I had never seen anything like it. But what a moneyspinner for Cheltenham. The place was rammed for most of the night and the tills never stopped ringing. No wonder Cheltenham is propping up the rest of the Jockey Club Racecourses tracks. Ker-ching.
My heart sunk when I saw that Ultimate (2.20) had been tipped in the Racing Post Pricewise column this morning, as I'd decided to leave backing the horse until today in the expectation of getting a bigger price. After all, his profile is anything but typical for a Greatwood Hurdle winner.
Representing the same owner, trainer and jockey, the luckless Bothy was beaten a neck by Menorah in last year's race, but compensation may await now that Ultimate's breathing problems seem to be behind him. It isn't just the likes of Paul Nicholls who can open up a new chapter in the careers of his horses by sending them away for a surgical procedure to iron out wind issues.
After being pulled up at Aintree in April, Ultimate underwent a soft palate operation and the results of that work have been impressive. He blew his rivals away in a mile-and-a-half handicap on the Flat at Catterick and then again impressed when beating Australia Day in a novice chase at Huntingdon. The aim for Ultimate is to run in the Arkle or Grand Annual Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March, but before he is given a handicap rating over fences (which could well see his hurdles mark rise in tandem) this is effectively his last chance to try and exploit a mark of 128 ? the lowest of his career.
Dark Ranger (2.55) will be a good price against higher-profile horses from bigger yards, but this hardy battler is generously treated if able to build upon the improvement he has shown on the Flat this year. This is the stiffest test of stamina he has faced over hurdles, but it will surely suit, and if his jumping has improved since last seen over obstacles he's potentially a major player.
Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/2011/nov/13/horse-racing-best-bets
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