Review of the action from Friday's meeting at Cheltenham
A review of the action from Friday's meeting at Cheltenham were Cogry provided trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies with a timely boost.
Cogry toughs it out
Cogry lifted the spirits of trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies when moving a step closer to an outing in the Grand National with back-to-back victories in the BetVictor Handicap Chase at Cheltenham.
Having seen leading Caspian Caviar Gold Cup contender Riders Onthe Storm declared a non runner in error hours earlier, the Naunton handler was all smiles after the ultra-game 10-year-old returned to winning ways with a battling success in the Grade Three feature.
The 5/1 chance looked booked for a place after being headed over two out, but showing his appetite for a fight he gamely rallied back after the last to get up on the line and defeat Rock The Kasbah by a short head.
Twiston-Davies said: "He doesn't know when to give in, but that makes up for a rubbish day so far. Watching the race he out-jumped the others all the way round.
"There is no end to him and he keeps trying. It is very important to win this, we can't win it (Caspian Caviar Gold Cup) but we have some other good chances.
"The Grand National is obviously a target. He stays and jumps well, so he will be one of the entries. He is a little bit low in the weights, perhaps, but he will go up a bit.
"I don't know what else there is back here for him, but we will definitely have a look."
He added: "These things, they go wrong - Riders Onthe Storm is in a graduation chase next weekend and it might be easier to do that.
"I think it could be a blessing and you have always got to look on the bright side, but this one (Cogry) has done us proud."
Henderson at the double
Chantry House continued to live up to his tall reputation with a triumphant return to action in the British EBF "National Hunt" Novices' Hurdle Qualifier at Cheltenham.
After a winning debut under rules at Warwick in March, the Nicky Henderson-trained five-year-did what was expected of him on his first start over hurdles, defeating recent Ffos Las scorer Stolen Silver by a length and three-quarters.
Henderson said of the 5/6 winner: "He is a very nice young horse, but he just needs educating. As Barry (Geraghty) said, he is still pretty green, as that was only his second run after having one bumper.
"He jumped well, but it was a bit of a messy race and they didn't go very quick. I think he probably would get further, but we will see how we go. It was a good education and we will go do that again somewhere before we think about anything else."
Owned by JP McManus, Chantry House received quotes of 16/1 for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle with Sky Bet.
🏡 CHANTRY HOUSE justifies favouritism at Cheltenham on his hurdling debut for Nicky Henderson.
— Sporting Life (@SportingLife) December 13, 2019
Nudgy nudgy nursey nursey from Barry Geraghty
He's 16/1 from 33s with sponsors @SkyBet for the Supreme Novices'...pic.twitter.com/7g3eyCytkr
Pym can expect to have his talent tested at a higher level on his next start after completing a double for Henderson with an eight-length success as the 2/1 favourite in the International Decorative Surfaces Novices' Chase.
Henderson said: "He is learning all the time. He is very honest and straightforward and consequently he is not one you get excited about every day. He gets out of bed, does his work and is very uncomplicated and that is what he was the whole way round.
"I'd like to keep it small, but I won't be allowed into anything handicap-wise. I always like using the Reynoldstown and I was planning to use it last season (with Santini) until the horses were vaccinated the week before."
Easy does it in French one-two
French raider Easysland claimed a decisive success in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase at Cheltenham.
David Cottin's charge lined up at Prestbury Park off the back of multiple cross-country triumphs in his homeland at Pau and Compiegne - and was sent off a well-supported 5/2 favourite in the hands of Jonathan Plouganou.
Ridden prominently throughout the three-mile-six-furlong contest, Easysland took over the lead a long way from home and never really looked in any danger of being caught, passing the post eight lengths to the good.
Easysland's part-owner David Futter said: "He is not overly big and that is why we got him cheaply at the sales, but I've been at it long enough to know it's what's in their heart and head that matters.
"We stand the stallion Gentlewave at Yorton Farm ourselves and we try to support our stallions.
"He has always been able to jump. Did we think he would take us to Cheltenham? No. They've got to get round the fences and jump and he just about did it.
"We will see how he goes. He has already won two cross-country races at Pau and hopefully we will go there for the Grand Cross Country and see how he goes then hopefully come back here in March.
"I'm a kid from a housing estate watching this on the television and I never ever in my life thought I'd have a winner here, so we are going to enjoy the moment.
"We work hard and play hard and we will play tonight!"
Amazing Comedy chased home his stablemate to provide Cottin with a one-two.
He said of the winner: "It was a very good performance. For me this is my future champion in cross-country races.
"He is only five years old with not much experience. For me he is a smashing horse. He is very small, but he is a very good horse.
"Maybe will go for the big cross-country at Pau and come back here in March."
Gordon Elliott's Irish challenger Out Sam best of the rest in third. The well-fancied Yanworth suffered a heavy fall a long way from home, while his stable companion Josies Orders - a four times winner at the track - never threatened to land a telling blow.
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