Maximize (right) tracks Ibis Rochelais (Getty Images).
Click here for full result
Click here for Cheltenham settlers page
Click here for more Festival news
Maximize (40/1) under teenager Darren Edwards came from another parish to collar front-runner Merchants Friend (20/1) at the death in the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup. The latter had shaken off all his rivals as he free-wheeled down the hill and only looked to have the final fence between himself and victory. He cleared it safely but began to waver badly on the run-in as the exertions started to take a toll. Meanwhile, Maximize was staying on to great effect but seemed to have too much to do despite the exhausted runner-up going up and down on the spot. Three strides from the line the result changed as the 10-year-old whistled by to give Martin Pipe and owner David Johnson a double on the afternoon after Well Chief's earlier success. Ibis Rochelais, the 7/1 favourite was third. The field was well strung out from an early stage and Merchants Friend was out
in front after Prominent Profile made a monumental error at the last on the
first circuit, Robert Widger performing miracles to stay in the plate.
The eventual runner-up made a slight error three from home but nothing too
serious, and he looked for all the world as if he would give Mann his first
Festival success.
But it was not to be and Maximize, who was a smart novice in his days with
Henrietta Knight, nailed him on the line.
The fancied Innox and Royal Predica both fell early on.
Asked if he thought he was going to get up, Edwards, 19 and a student at
Cirencester Agricultural College, said: "To be honest, I didn't think I was
going anywhere down the back, but he kept popping away and I just kept
squeezing.
"Even when he gets in close, he is low and quick, and when we passed one at
the top of the hill, he has gone off with a wet sail."
Pipe said: "I can't say he was the one I really fancied. They were all fancied,
but I did not think he would be number one.
"He's obviously come to himself now and he's done it well. It is Darren's
first ride for me. He has ridden point-to-points with us and he is a good lad. I
am very pleased with him - mind you, I wish he hadn't left it so late!
"I'll let you into a secret. His sister Gemma works in my office, and she is
very nice too."
Charlie Mann, trainer of the runner-up, said: "I thought I was going to have
my first Cheltenham winner but he just didn't get up the hill.
"The lad's given him a great ride and the horse has run a blinder. He would
want softer ground but there are no hard luck stories.
"We just needed it a bit more than M Pipe."
 E-mail Article  Print-Friendly
 Subscribe to RSS Feed
 Post to del.icio.us
 Facebook
Click here to send us your sporting feedback
|
