Well Chief (right) takes it up (Getty Images).

The champion trainer-jockey combination of Martin Pipe and Tony McCoy got the home contingent off the mark when 9/1 Well Chief took the Irish Independent Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase.

He looked to have the measure of 7/2 shot Kicking King, but made a mistake at the final fence that gave supporters of the Irish raider renewed hope.

However, Well Chief found more on the run-in in a terrific battle to land the spoils.

There was drama early on in the race when the 5/2 favourite Thisthatandtother made a mistake at the first fence and fell at the second.

Then Central House, who had taken the lead from pacesetter John James, came down at the fourth-last.

Mister McGoldrick went on, only to be joined at the penultimate fence by Kicking King.

But Well Chief (9-1), having only his second race over fences, was going the better and went on to score by a length, with 25/1 Le Duc seven lengths away in third.

A jubilant McCoy said: "He's always been a bit keen, but you're always worried in the Arkle with so many runners that there is going to be caranage, and if you're out the back you might get brought down.

"But he settled well and he jumped brilliantly, and going to the last I knew I had enough left for the hill."

Pipe paid tribute to his staff for preparing Well Chief for such a big test after the horse was restricted to just one run over fences.

"That's all to do with our lads at home schooling. I would have liked to have given him another run at Warwick but unfortunately the meeting was off," he said.

"We couldn't do any more, so Jonathon Lower deserves a lot of the credit."

Winning owner David Johnson admitted to backing the five-year-old. He said: "I've taken a few pounds off the bookmakers."

Lower added: "After Well Chief had jumped his first hurdle at home, we thought he'd be a chaser."

"Hopefully, we will come back for the Gold Cup next year. We have always had it in our head that he was a staying horse, but we thought that if we went for the SunAlliance Chase we would not have a horse for next year."

"His recent win at Kelso really sharpened him up. He's got an entry in the Cathcart, so we'll go home tonight and see how he is. I wouldn't rule it out."

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