Review of the action from Friday's meeting at Cheltenham

Snowden star fends off Hometown challenge

Fact Of The Matter emerged triumphant over My Hometown after a thrilling climax to the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase at Cheltenham. Jamie Snowden's charge was narrowly denied by the Enda Bolger-trained course specialist Josies Orders at the track last month and the pair renewed rivalry four weeks on.

Josies Orders was a 7-2 joint-favourite to claim a fifth course win along with French raider Amazing Comedy, while Fact Of The Matter was a 6-1 shot in the hands of Gavin Sheehan.

My Hometown, a stablemate of Josies Orders, forced the pace for much of the three-mile-six-furlong journey and was still in a narrow lead rounding the home turn.

Fact Of The Matter soon ranged alongside and the pair fought tooth and nail up the hill, with Snowden's charge winning the day by a neck.

Josies Orders ended up further back than ideal after some indifferent leaps, but powered home to beat Amazing Comedy to third.

"You've got to get emotional about it," said Snowden. "He has obviously improved on the back of his last run here. He jumped beautifully and Gavin got him into a beautiful rhythm. He cut every corner and dug deep and fought all the way to the line.

"To be fair I thought we were beaten coming to the last, but he winged it and got back up in front "I think the other horse passed us again, but he dug deep and fought all the way to the line. The good ground helped and Gavin gave him an absolute peach."

All roads lead back to Cheltenham in March for Fact Of The Matter, but Snowden is well aware his charge will face a tougher ask in what is a conditions event - meaning he will not receive weight from higher rated rivals.

He added: "These two were handicaps and the race in March is a conditions race, so it is a different kettle of fish, but he has taken to the fences well so he probably deserves to have a go. Riding a winner here is one thing, but training a winner is something different. We've been lucky enough to have a few now and one at the Festival, but any winner here is incredible."

Worlds back on track

The Worlds End got his chasing career back on track with an emphatic success in the Neville Lumb Novices' Chase at Cheltenham.

After finishing third behind Ibis Du Rheu here last time out, the Tom George-trained seven-year-old reversed the form in defeating his old rival by 26 lengths under Noel Fehily, deputising for Adrian Heskin who suffered a broken leg at Taunton on Thursday.

There was early drama in the extended three-mile-one-furlong contest when second-favourite Lil Rockerfeller unseated Wayne Hutchinson at the second fence.

George said: "I suppose the first thing you have to say is sorry for Adrian Heskin who is not riding today. Last time he was a bit too careful, but he was very good today. He will go on soft ground, but he doesn't want heavy up to his knees, like he had to run on last winter.

"Kempton (Kauto Star Novices' Chase) would not be his track and that would be sharp enough and soon enough.

"He is a proper staying horse. We've made no plans. We will enjoy today. One thing about him he will stay all day - I'm not saying he needs to be going for the four-miler, but he could do that as well. His next run will be important, when he runs against some higher-class horses in his generation."

Sky Bet cut the winner to 16/1 for the RSA Chase following the race, Racing PR Manager Michael SHinners said: "You had to be impressed with that. He has plenty of ability, jumped well and it would be no surprise to see him head back here in the spring."

Nutz about Tizzard star

Elixir De Nutz made it two wins from his last two appearances with a front-running success in the British Stallion Studs EBF "National Hunt" Novices' Hurdle.

A Grade Two winner at the track last month, the Colin Tizzard-trained four-year-old successfully gave 10lb to his four rivals to claim the two-mile-one-furlong prize by a length and three quarters.

The winner was cut from 33-1 into 25-1 for the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle in March by the sponsors.

Tizzard said: "He made the running here last time and Harry (Cobden) wanted to keep it simple. You can go as fast as you like over two miles and he will get that trip however fast they go. He jumps so well."

He added: "That was a relief, as some of ours have not been running well over the last two weeks and I was getting a bit jumpy, but he was all right. He will have one more run then go for the Supreme, as I don't think we are brave enough to go two and a half."

Double delight for Twiston-Davies

Nigel Twiston-Davies hinted an outing in the Grand National could be on the agenda for Cogry following his battling success in the CF Roberts 25 Years Of Sponsorship Handicap Chase.

Despite pressed by Rolling Dylan and Singlefarmpayment over the last, the nine-year-old fought valiantly before getting up on the line to score by a head.

The trainer said of his 9-1 winner: "He is a genuine little horse that runs his heart out every time. That's his third win round here so he can't be too bad. Maybe he could have an entry in the Grand National or something like that, as he stays and jumps beautifully. Failing that he could go back to the Scottish National.

"I think better ground helps him. There is the Classic Chase at Warwick and that could be for him next."

Cogry was ridden by Twiston-Davies' son, Sam, and the Naunton handler added: "It is so lovely to have Sam back. He never does anything wrong and is a joy to have about."

Twiston-Davies feels the sky could be the limit for Al Dancer (3-1), who completed a hat-trick with a resounding 11-length success in the Catesby Handicap Hurdle to get the ball rolling for the father and son duo.

He said: "That is what racing is about, dreaming. He is unbeaten over hurdles, so you have got to dream.

"He was a nice horse in bumpers last season and is improving. He will certainly have an entry in the Betfair (Hurdle) and we will just have to see what the handicapper does. The Festival is where we want to come and Dai Walters (owner) likes going there, so that's our plan."

Johnson and Elliott strike again

Richard Johnson and Gordon Elliott are always a force when teaming up together and so it proved once again as Synopsis (13-2) defied top weight to take the CF Roberts Electrical & Mechanical Services' Mares' Handicap Chase.

Elliott said: "She is good, honest mare. I thought it was an exceptional performance with the weight she had.

"Richard Johnson gave her a great ride. He let the race happen in front of them and followed them round. The ground was probably as good as she has had."

Lad shows fighting spirit

The Dr Richard Newland-trained Aaron Lad (15-2) found plenty when it mattered most to fight off a host of challengers and run out a three-length winner of the Citipost Handicap Hurdle.

Mark Ansell, spokesman for part-owners Off The Clock Partners, said: "He is a little pocket rocket and is an incredibly brave little horse. If he is thereabouts he will always keep on going.

"The aim for him is the Pertemps."

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