BY GEORGE, THERE'S NO STOPPING MITCHELL
By Tom Peacock, Press Association Sport
It is safe to say there will have been quite a party going on in Dorset on Saturday night after the events at Wincanton.
Dorchester-based Nick Mitchell already had a reason to celebrate by winning the JNwine.com Champion Chase at Down Royal with The Listener and then took another serious prize in Somerset.
Ellerslie George (14-1), owned by Guy Henderson and ridden by his inexperienced son Robbie in a competitive Badger Ales Trophy, simply bounded around the track and could never be reeled in by the field.
The winner was given a huge ovation and Robbie, a 20-year-old amateur, said: "I spent all last season with Nick before joining Colin Tizzard and thankfully he gave me the day off for this.
"I've ridden 16 or 17 under Rules and this is my second winner, so it's a special day. I was going to go to Exeter University but Colin persuaded me not to."
His father added: "I am having to come to terms with the fact my son is a far better jockey than I was!
"It's beyond our wildest dreams and Nick has done wonders with him."
Champion Hurdle runner-up Celestial Halo (11-4 joint-favourite) pulled 10 lengths clear under 11st 10lb in the totescoop6 Elite Limited Handicap Hurdle.
Mamlook, carrying some 20lb less, was Ruby Walsh's only serious danger turning for home but he was shaken off with little difficulty.
"I'm very impressed because we had left plenty to work with," said trainer Paul Nicholls.
That surprised me to be honest, but he's obviously come on a lot physically.
"He'll go to Cheltenham now (for the Boylesports International) then have a break, and one race before the Champion."
Nicholls and Walsh had started the day on a good footing when Pepe Simo (8-11 favourite) took the Toteplacepot E.B.F. 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle with pounds more in hand.
"He won here a couple of weeks ago and I might just look at a decent race at Haydock in a couple of weeks," said Nicholls.
The totetentofollow Rising Stars Novices' Chase was supposed to revolve around Nicholls' 4-7 favourite Gullible Gordon but he clipped one on the second circuit and came down, leaving the Grade Two in safe keeping for Red Admiral (7-1).
Trainer Charlie Mann explained: "I've never seen a Flat horse jump as well as him.
"He has won three out of four now over fences and likes decent ground so the Jewson at Cheltenham would be the ideal race for him. They went too slow last time."
Amber Brook (12-1) seems to save her best for Wincanton and collected the toteswinger Mares' Handicap Hurdle for the second year in a row.
The toteexacta Handicap Chase went to Henry Daly's Master Somerville (10-1), who dominated under Andrew Tinkler, scoring by three and three-quarter lengths.
The Bob Buckler-trained John's Gift (9-1) put his prior experience to good use in the totepool-sponsored bumper.
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