Duc De Beauchene wins at Cheltenham
Duc De Beauchene wins at Cheltenham

Cheltenham Sunday review: Duc De Beauchene wins conditional riders' race


A round-up of the rest of the news from Cheltenham on Sunday as Jonjo O'Neill jnr won the conditional jockeys' handicap hurdle on Duc De Beauchene for David Pipe, who enjoyed a double.

Pipe at the double

Duc De Beauchene got favourite-backers off to a fine start on a gloomy Sunday at Cheltenham by landing the opening Cheltenham Club Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle (click for full result and FREE video replay) under Jonjo O'Neill jnr.

Trained by David Pipe, the 100/30 favourite travelled strongly throughout the two miles, five furlong contest and was brought to challenge outsider Ozzy Thomas at the final flight.

The winner had too many guns on the climb to the line, pulling three lengths clear of Henry Oliver's gallant runner-up, with long-time leader Electron Bleu (16/1) holding on for third. Fourth went to Demon Fou at 7/1 with Voodoo Doll (16/1) back in fifth.

Pipe went on to bookend the card as 16/1 shot Isreal Champ won the concluding High Sheriff Of Gloucestershire And Racing Remember Standard Open NH Flat Race under Tom Scudamore.

Clayeux dominates cross-country

There was a French-trained one-two in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase as Diesel D'Allier beat stablemate Urgent De Gregaine.

The well-backed winner was ridden by victory by Charlie Deutsch for Emmanuel Clayeux, who was well-rehearsed when comes to this unique course having saddled Urgent De Gregaine to a shock 50/1 success over the banks course at the January meeting in 2017.

The six-year-old grey Diesel D'Allier, backed from double-figure odds down to 13,2, justified the strong market support with a convincing victory.

Kept off the pace for most of the three-and-three-quarter-mile stamina test, Deutsch brought him into contention at the business end of proceedings.

He jumped the final fence in front and galloped strongly up the hill to hold Urgent De Gregaine by four and a half lengths.

Richard Hobson's Chic Name was the first of the home contingent in third spot, two and three-quarter lengths away.

Diesel D'Allier wins at Cheltenham
Diesel D'Allier wins at Cheltenham

Clayeux said: "I wasn't sure about the course, but he jumped fluently. It was brilliant today, and he should come back in December. We will come back in December then hopefully in March.

"Urgent (a winner over the course in 2017 and twice placed at the Festival) is 11 now and will be 12 next year. I hope he will run in March (Festival). It's an objective in March to stop him afterwards. I would like to finish with a winner in March and have his statue at the racecourse.

"I didn't know about Diesel today, as he has less experience, even if I think that he should be a good cross-country horse in the future. He is only six and most of the cross-country horses mature at eight or nine. I hope they will both come back next month."

Deutsch added: "I rode one for Emmanuel here two years ago, and it jumped brilliantly. I got a phone call off him last week, and I just said 'Yes, yes, yes' - I didn't know what it was. These French horses jump so well, and he quickened up the hill really well. He's a lovely horse."


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