A review of the rest of Thursday's action from the Cheltenham Festival including the Jack Richards' Novices' Limited Handicap Chase.
14:00 Cheltenham - Jack Richards Novices' Limited Handicap Chase (Grade 2)
1st MEETMEBYTHESEA 9/1
2nd Gold Dancer 25/1
3rd Regent's Stroll 5/1 joint-favourite
4th King Alexander 20/1
Meetmebythesea resumed his progression in the manner of a horse destined for the upper echelons of the sport after putting in a bold display of jumping to secure victory in the Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase.
The Ben Pauling-trained six-year-old looked a handicap snip en route to securing his third win over fences in the hands of Ben Jones, who got a near perfect tune out of the 9/1 chance in the Grade Two contest.
Always to the fore in the extended two-and-a-half-mile contest, alongside eventual runner-up Gold Dancer, the JP McManus-owned gelding, who finished sixth in the Grade Two William Hill Game Spirit Chase at Newbury last time out, always looked in control of matters.
Heading into the home straight to face up to the final two fences it was Gold Dancer, and Regent’s Stroll who were left to throw down the final challenges to Meetmebythesea. But after meeting both obstacles well Meetmebythesea was not for catching with Jones punching his mount out to score by four and three quarter lengths, much to the delight of Pauling, who had endured a tough first two days to the meeting.
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Pauling said: “He (JP McManus) is a huge supporter of the industry and he is a great man to train for and when it comes off here I think it means a lot to him.
“I’ve always liked him, but he can’t handle heavy ground, but the ground was in his favour today so it was good to see him do that. He was very good as he was quick and nimble when he needed to be and bold when he needed to be. I don’t think I wanted to be that far forward, but he was enjoying it. He was just really good.
“He was good and quick away from it at two out even though he still made a mistake. He is a funny horse as when you put him in a race he travels, but when he is not in company he can be a bit cold.
"The lad who rides him every day had a really rough accident on the gallops the other day. He broke his leg and his hand so he is at home watching this so I’m just delighted for him. We have been training for thirteen years so to have horses for people like JP helps a lot.
“I was a bit deflated (after the first two days) if I’m completely honest with you. It is a stark reminder of how hard it is to win here. This was one of the darts we would hope run well so it was great to see it come off."
16:40 Cheltenham - Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle
1st SUPREMELY WEST 100/30 favourite
2nd Lavida Adiva 22/1
3rd Ikarak 40/1
4th Letos 22/1
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Discover Sporting Life Plus BenefitsDan Skelton watched on with delight as Supremely West pulled off another one of his long-term masterplans when hitting the back of the net in the Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle.
Although without a win this campaign since joining Skelton from Dr Richard Newland and Jamie Insole, the eight-year-old showed what he is truly capable of after boxing on well during the closing stages of the three-mile contest.
Buried among rivals for much of the race, the well-backed 100/30 favourite moved smoothly into contention on jumping the second-last before being sent on by Harry Skelton just before the final flight.
After safely negotiating the last the Westerner gelding, who is owned by Dundee United director Jimmy Fyffe, showed plenty of stamina in reserves to defeat Lavida Adiva by three and a half lengths.
Dan Skelton said: “He took us by surprise when he finished third here back in October. It was just obvious that I had to try for this race. I don’t know if he didn’t stay a couple of times as I then dropped him back to two and a half miles when all the hurdles were out at Aintree and it was obvious then that we had just got to gamble and wait for this.
“Jimmy has been very patient. We knew he had a few pounds in hand if it all came through, but if is a big word, but it is a great feeling. Him and Madara we thought had a bit in hand.
“I said to Jimmy this might happen if you're patient, and to be fair to the man he has been. If you have got one you think you can win with you have got to be patient.
"It was a little bit more nervous than watching Madara as there was a bit going on and he was a bit fresh the whole way, but I liked watching it. Our job is to win, and win with the ones that can win. He could win, and he won, so we are very proud of that as the whole team worked hard.”
And Skelton admitted the victory was a much deserved one for Supremely West’s triumphant owner.
He added: “Jimmy is well documented as having the second most runners to JP McManus in our industry so fair play to him. He puts a lot of money into it and there are a lot of people getting paid training fees from him, and he deserves it.
“He is so passionate for the sport and it is great to get a winner for such a passionate team."
17:20 Cheltenham - Rosconn Group Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Amateur Jockeys' Handicap Chase
1st ASK BREWSTER 22/1
2nd Road To Home 9/1
3rd Monbeg Genius 18/1
4th Kim Roque 9/2
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Teenage rider Shane Cotter saw his dreams turn into reality after celebrating a first Cheltenham Festival winner aboard Ask Brewster in the Rosconn Group Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Amateur Jockeys’ Handicap Chase.
Despite not being sighted since finishing fifth in the Betfair Exchange London National Handicap Chase at Sandown Park in December, the gelded son of Ask showed he was cherry ripe for his first run of 2026 when battling back in tenacious fashion under the 19-year-old rider.
Out in front for much of the extended three and a quarter mile test, the 22/1 chance looked to have seen off all of his rivals on jumping the second last with Cotter still sitting in pole position aboard the eight-year-old.
However, Patrick Mullins appeared to have dashed the dreams of Cotter when passing him aboard Road To Home, trained by his father Willie mid-way up the run-in, but in one final twist Ask Brewster valiantly rallied back close to the line before scoring by a neck.
Cotter said: "It was unbelievable and you dream of being here watching it as a child. To ride here was unbelievable, but to have a winner I’m lost for words. I can’t thank Evan Williams for getting me on the horse last week, and all of his team prepared him beautifully for today as he jumped and travelled everywhere.
“I watched his few replays and every time he was put in front he loved it. I was told to ride him in the first seven or eight, but he jumped out nice and handy and he ran away down to the first and I thought I knew it was his day then.
“I got under the last bit, but in fairness he was game enough to the line. When Patrick came to me I went on again. He was very game. I’ve dreamt of this since I was seven or eight years old. I’m just speechless.”
And the victory was a timely one for trainer Cath Williams, who took over the licence at Fingerpost Farm earlier this week after her husband, and Grade One-winning handler Evan Williams, was found guilty of grievous bodily harm with intent at Cardiff Crown Court on Monday.
Cath Williams said: “I’m absolutely delighted. They are very loyal owners who have had a lovely day. It is emotional.
"We were confident with the horse coming into it as we knew he was in good order, we just needed that good ground from yesterday. Yesterday we needed soft ground for Libberty Hunter and today we needed good ground for this horse. When it rained this morning I thought oh sxxt, but it happened, and he has done it.
"We knew they were both in good shape. We have come and they have been first and second so I’m delighted. He stays at the end of the day. It is brilliant for the jockey. Evan spoke to a couple of the Irish lads, as did Conor Ring, and that is who we got. It has been an emotional week, as you all know, and it is what it is, and we deal with it and crack on."
Cheltenham Festival coverage
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