King Harald almost comes down at the last.

By

Mattie Batchelor's fortunes took a dramatic turn for the better when he booted King Harald home in front in the first running of the Jewson Novices' Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival on Thursday.

At a disciplinary panel inquiry last week the rider was hit with a £2,500 fine after he was found guilty of misleading a Jockey Club investigating officer.

But he put that setback well behind him as he gave Mark Bradstock's 9-1 winner a tremendous ride.

Batchelor sent King Harald straight into the lead, and the seven-year-old jumped well as he saw off a series of challengers by the final turn, with Lacdoudal the only serious threat.

Richard Johnson had the gelding in top gear as he came to press the leader at the last fence and he looked set to score after King Harald stumbled on landing over the obstacle, with Batchelor losing his left iron.

But Batchelor was not for giving in easily and kicking his foot out of the other iron, too, he drove King Harald for all he was worth.

The gelding responded gamely to regain the lead halfway up the hill before drawing away for a clear-cut four-length success.

Lacdoudal held on for second, five lengths in front of See You Sometime, with Sir Oj fourth.

Batchelor, enjoying his first Festival winner, said: "He's jumped from fence to fence. He's been working with Yogi Breisner, who has helped him immensely.

"He pecked a little bit at the last and I lost my stirrup. I knew I wasn't going to get it back, so I kicked the other one out.

"When something like that happens you don't get time to think about it - instinct takes over and you just get on with it.

"I can't believe it - it's like a dream come true.

"But that's racing for you. One minute you're down and the next you're up."

Bradstock was fined £1,400 for pulling King Harald out of Wednesday's Royal & SunAlliance Chase to run him here instead.

The trainer's wife Sara said: "I told them what we were doing and why we were doing it. They said they still had to fine us. It was annoying, but we thought we couldn't let the opportunity of running in this race pass us by."

Lacdoudal may seek compensation at Aintree.

His trainer Philip Hobbs said: "I think he may go a bit further now. He has top weight in all these races and maybe the three-mile novice will be all right for him at Aintree. He'll have no problems getting three miles around there.

"He jumps brilliantly and is a star. He is very tough and genuine, and gets better each time he runs."

See You Sometime could renew rivalry with Lacdoudal at Aintree and his handler Seamus Mullins said: "I'm delighted. I'm thrilled to bits with him.

"In a novice handicap chase he was always liable to come up against a lightly-weighted horse.

"He's run right to his mark and runs well every time. I'd love to have the guts and heart that he has.

"He might go for the three-mile novice chase at Liverpool."