Cheltenham review: Cogry stays best to trigger Twiston-Davies double

Second in the Coral Scottish National when last seen in the spring, Cogry's proven stamina was put to use by Sam Twiston-Davies who had his father's horse up with the pace throughout in the opening randoxhealth.com Handicap Chase.

Turning for home, Singlefarmpayment (11/2) emerged as a threat and moved powerfully, but could never get to Cogry who powered up the hill to score by four lengths at 13/2.

Doing Fine (15/2) ran on well from the rear to take third with the giant Robinsfirth, backed into 5/1 favouritism just before the off, back in fourth.

The trainer said: "His jumped really well, it has all come together and he was pretty impressive today. We will think about the Grand National, but he's got (to find) a bit of improvement to get into that.

"We will look at the Ladbrokes Trophy and that is a very strong possibility."

Foxtail Hill made it a double for trainer and jockey as the 15/2 chance gamely fended off Le Prezien to win the Randox Health Handicap Chase, foiling a massive gamble in the process.

The runner-up had been smashed into 5/2 from as big as 5/1 in the morning and looked set to collect as he moved into the slipstream of Foxtail Hill, who had been out in front from the off under an aggressive ride.

However, as the two settled down to battle it out after the last, it was Foxtail Hill who found more to win by a neck from Le Prezien, who was 11 lengths clear of third-placed Sizing Platinum (12/1).

Twiston-Davies said: "He jumped them all silly. I thought two and a half was his best distance, but I am not sure now. We will look at the BetVictor next. I thought Sam was very good today."

Henry de Bromhead saddled a winner on his birthday as 9/4 chance Twobeelucky produced a stylish display to land the Masterson Holdings Hurdle.

Moving well throughout, the mount of Andrew Lynch took it up on the run down to the last and soon put the race to bed, returning to winning ways having chased home a smart hose when last seen at Galway in July.

De Bromhead said: "He is an exciting horse for us and we will see what we do. Hopefully he might come back here in March and he might be a horse for the County Hurdle."

Bedrock, sent off favourite at 8/13, was in front turning for home but weakened out of things as Arthington (25/1) stayed on from the rear to grab second, with the front-running Golden Jeffrey last of the four runners.

Thomas Campbell landed a few bets to take the Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle.

Backed into 5/2 favouritism, Nicky Henderson's horse was always close to the pace and saw it out well on his first try over three miles.

There was a minor surprise in the Royal Gloucestershire Hussars Novices' Chase, where Double Treasure (9/1) got the better of Two Taffs (3/1), with 7/4 favourite Alcala trailing home last of four finishers.

Two Taffs looked like the winner turning in, travelling well when he hit the front, but found little for pressure as Jamie Snowden's horse stayed on past him to continue his progression, having now won four on the spin.

"I thought we were beaten at the top of the hill," said Snowden. "Gavin Sheehan gave him a peach of a ride. I stopped shouting, but he got a nice seam up the inner and he jumped the last particularly nicely and stormed up the hill.

"The BetVictor was the plan before today. He is improving and he has won his last four starts and he deserves to take his chance in a nice, big pot."

Sporting Life columnist Daryl Jacob was on the mark aboard Calett Mad (6/5 favourite), who had little trouble landing the odds in the Junior Jumpers Novices' Hurdle.

Jacob described his mount as boasting "a touch of class" relative to his five rivals and so it proved, as he scored by almost five lengths.

After the race, he said: "Calett Mad is a bit like Wholestone, who won this race last year and kept progressing, and I think this lad will hopefully do the very same. He has a big, galloping stride and seems to take horses out of their comfort zone very early.

"We got to a stage where it was going to be very, very difficult for him over fences, especially at Ayr when he produced a career-best and was just beaten. He is only a young horse so we decided to go down the Wholestone route."

The final race went to Herecomestheboom, who got the better of Ainchea to land the Jockey Club Venues Standard Open NH Flat Race at odds of 8/1.

Winning trainer Fergal O'Brien said: "I would have been happy if Herecomestheboom had finished in the first six but Paddy (Brennan) gave him a lovely ride and I was delighted with the run.

"We had no big plans - will take him back home and have a look - but he was very impressive today."

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