Edwardstone gave Alan King a third success in the Sporting Life Arkle and the trainer's first win at the Cheltenham Festival since 2014.
The 5/2 favourite was always travelling and jumping well and turning in he was on the quarters of leader Riviere D'Etel, who jumped into him at the second last.
The winner was soon back on an even keel and a quick leap at the final fence sealed matters.
Tom Cannon pushed him out to the line for a four-and-a-quarter-length win over Gabynako (25/1) with Blue Lord (4/1) back in third.
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Cannon said: “I had a couple of hairy moments, but other than that I had a dream run round, jumping fence to fence. I’m just delighted, I’ve got a better relationship with him than I have with any human being, put it that way! He wears his heart on his sleeve, he jumps well, goes out and does his thing.”
King – who enjoyed great success on the Flat last year with Trueshan – said: “I was only half-watching when we could easily have been brought down and I wasn’t sure if we had at one stage, but the gods were shining on us. Thereafter he looked to travel really well and never missed a beat. Full marks to Tom as well – that’s his first Cheltenham winner and he’s given him a cracking ride.
“Tom is riding out of his skin at the moment. I’ve been training 22 years and he’s only my third stable jockey. He reminds me of Choc (Robert Thornton) as he has the most laid-back attitude. If he’s nervous, he doesn’t show it. We’ve always trained the good horses this way. I don’t think Voy Por Ustedes or My Way De Solzen came here under-raced and his races have been reasonably spaced out.
“As I said the other week, he’s just been two or three years in the making. He used to over-race a little bit, but running him in those big handicap hurdles last year was the making of him. People have doubted his jumping, but I’ve never had any worries about it. He’s always had the potential, but these good horses don’t happen overnight. It’s a relief more than anything. It hasn’t really sunk in yet. Thank God it was the second race on the first day!”
On what might be next, he added: “I’ve not even thought about it. We’ll enjoy today.”
Gavin Cromwell, who along with the owners made the decision to supplement Gabynako, despite him initially being entered in the two other novice chases, said: “I suppose it has paid off (supplementing) as that was a fantastic run. He travelled well through the race and coming down the hill he was still on the bridle. Look, the winner was very good but he’s the best of the Irish which is great.
“A fast-run two miles, certainly here with the hill, is fine but he’s fine over two and a half as well. I suppose we have to think of Punchestown for him now.”
Paul Townend, who rode Blue Lord into third position said succinctly: “He just wasn’t good enough on the day.”
Sporting Life Arkle - Timeform verdict
Edwarstone has been awarded a provisional Timeform rating of c162 after his win in the Sporting Life Arkle Chase at Cheltenham – which is higher than the Arkle ratings achieved by trainer Alan King’s two previous winners of the race.
King saddled Voy Por Ustedes (c152p) and My Way de Solzen (c157p) to win the Arkle in 2006 and 2007 respectively, this latest victory ending a drought at the Cheltenham Festival for the yard which stretched back to 2015.
“Although today’s Sporting Life Arkle arguably lacked the sort of superstars who have graced recent the race in recent years, what it lacked in top-end quality was more than made up for in terms of competitiveness and it still represents an up-to-scratch renewal,” explained Timeform chase handicapper Phil Turner.
“Indeed, Ferny Hollow was the only major name missing the from the field and the form has a solid look to it. Edwardstone has been ultra professional all winter and that certainly describes his performance today, where he looked in control some way out despite a couple of pieces of interference. In addition, the early signs suggest he posted yet another excellent performance on the clock too.”
Voy Por Ustedes went on to win the Queen Mother Champion Chase for King 12 months after his Arkle win and Edwardstone will presumably follow that route next time, though is likely to face much sterner tests ahead than his predecessor did.
“Shiskin ran to a rating of 170 when winning last year’s Sporting Life Arkle and is now up to 181 following his exploits this season, so Edwardstone will have his work cut out to mix it with him,” Turner added.
