Cheltenham review: Quel Destin delivers for Paul Nicholls on testing day at Prestbury Park

Quel Destin holds rivals

Paul Nicholls and Harry Cobden combined to win the Masterson Holdings Hurdle with Quel Destin at Cheltenham on Saturday.

With the going changed to heavy after the first it was Chepstow scorer Torpillo that was backed into odds-on favouritism given his previous exploits in the mud, but it was Triumph Hurdle fifth Quel Destin that prevailed.

Torpillo led the field heading into the home straight but as Daryl Jacob stuck to the inside up the middle of the track Cobden brought Quel Destin to the stands' side rail.

That looked to help him in the final analysis with Soviet Pimpernel laying down a stern challenge on his outside with Torpillo not far behind in the centre.

Quel Destin pulled out more to beat Soviet Pimpernel by three-quarters-of-a-length, though, with Torpillo only third.

Nicholls said: "We planned to do that (go wide) and pick that better ground. Ruby (Walsh) used to do that and I've been getting him to look back at some of those old videos Ruby use to ride round here.

"He used to go as wide as you like and when the ground is like that, you have nothing to lose."

Of last season's Triumph Hurdle fifth, he added: "I thought it might be a tough task under the penalty, but he loves that ground and he won here last year.

"He beat Torpillo comprehensively at Haydock before, but we needed to improve from the Bath run. That was the ideal prep for today.

"It is hard for four-year-olds, but you would have to look at those sort of races (International Hurdle at Cheltenham on December 14). He would have to keep improving to run in races like that, but in testing ground you never know."

Saint bounces back

Saint Calvados bounced back to wining form in the Randox Health Handicap Chase at Cheltenham on Saturday.

The top novice won first-time out last season but was beaten in three subsequent starts, including when he was a 24-length secenth in the Champion Chase behind Altior when last seen.

However, a 227-day break, along with wind surgery and different tactics, saw him return to the winners' enclosure as his sights were lowered in handicap company off a mark of 155.

Ridden with more restraint by Gavin Sheehan, he crept into the contest in testing conditions and had enough left in reserve to see off the late challenge of Vaniteux up th ehill.

Knocknanuss cut out much of the running and finished third.

Whittington said: "That was my first Cheltenham winner and it is very special. It's just great. What can I say? He handled the track. He loved those conditions - we know that.

"You can safely say it was a classy performance in those conditions off top weight. It was a big drop in class.

"He was able to breath today and he was in his comfort zone the whole way. Gavin (Sheehan) said he jumped the last and he was a little bit lonely and needed something to come to him."

The day was made all the more special with it being the first time the Lambourn handler's recently-born daughter Penelope had been in attendance at the races.

He added: "It means an awful lot as my daughter Penelope is six weeks on Monday and it is her first day racing today.

"She is down in the marquee and has been passed around like pass the parcel. It just couldn't be any more special. I think her being here has made all the difference."

The Conditional lands opener

David Brigwater's The Conditional won the opening "Matchbook Betting Exchange" Handicap Chase at Cheltenham on Saturday.

Heavier than expected rain in the morning forced course officials to call an inspection 50 minutes before the first race after 30 millimetres of rain in 24 hours turned the ground soft, heavy in places.

Patches of standing water were visible on the track throughout the first race, but The Conditional stayed on well up the hill to deny favourite West Approach who travelled well during the contest.

Cogry was always prominent and finished third, while Onefortheroadtom and Red Infantry were fourth and fifth as the majority of mud-splattered silks were indistinguishable as they came in.

Unsurprisingly, there was a going change to 'heavy' all over following the first.

Bridgwater said of the 14/1 winner: "Without sounding confident, I thought he would win today as he has come on so much for his last run. He had a nice a light weight, which you want in this ground.

"Peter Cave (owner) has had about 12 or 13 horses with me and they've all been useless. He gave me a lump of money to buy a Saturday horse and this is it."

Time Flies!

Barry Geraghty celebrated his first winner back from injury when Time Flies By made a successful debut in Cheltenham's Royal Gloucestershire Hussars Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race.

The former Irish Champion jockey returned from the sidelines only this month, after breaking his right leg in a fall from the Peter Fahey-trained Peregrine Run in the Topham Chase at Aintree in April.

He was always going well on Nicky Henderson's debutant, and the 13/2 shot picked up well to defeat favourite Butte Montana by a length and three-quarters.

Geraghty said: "It is always great to get a winner here - (and) it was for all the right connections, the boss (owner JP McManus), the former boss (Henderson) and I suppose at the place we love more than anywhere."

There were inevitably plenty of frustrating times during his enforced five-month absence.

He added: "Punchestown wasn't easy viewing - seeing the likes of Buveur D'Air and Unowhatimeanharry winning, because I'd love to be on them.

"That would test anyone's character - you want to see them winning, but it is great to be back."

Time Flies By has a long way to go to reach the heights of many of McManus' leading lights, but the Gold Cup-winning rider believes the youngster he has a bright future.

Geraghty added: "For a four-year-old, he is very forward. It was a good, solid performance - and (he's) a fellow that I would say will improve with racing."

Henderson was only too pleased to see the man with whom he has shared a number of Grade One victories back among the winners.

He said: "It is in the right colours in the right place, and I'd like to think it was for the right trainer. It is great for him to be back.

"That is more important than everything. It is terrific for him."

As for future plans for Time Flies By, a switch to hurdles is on the agenda.

Henderson added: "We were schooling him the other day, and he was a bit green in behind horses, so we switched plans and said 'Go on, give him a bumper run'.

"He was green and needed education before he went jumping - otherwise the whole thing would have been too much in one go.

"He will go straight to hurdles, because he is a fantastic jumper. He was up at AP's (McCoy) last year - and they taught him how to jump."

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