Chantry House went back years to take the Betfair Handicap Chase in convincing fashion at Cheltenham.
Veteran Nicky Henderson was a dual Grade One winner in his fledgling racing days, winning both the Cheltenham Festival and Aintree in 2021.
He would have been a contender for the Gold Cup next year, but was pulled up in the blue riband after claiming the Cotswold Chase on Trials day. Since then he has struggled to impress and has recently been seen campaigning over hurdles.
Returning to the biggest hurdles on the day he turned 11, Chantry House showed plenty of his old confidence when he was sent off at 8-1 and traveled kindly for his pilot Nico de Boinville to Ben Pauling's Bowtogreatness and Sam Thomas' Our Power into the. just
He was delivered by De Boinville heading for the last before he repaired home six and a half lengths clear of Our Power who brought out Bowtogreatness for second. Nigel Twiston-Davies' 5-6 favorite Broadway Boy held on well in fourth.
A surprised Henderson told ITV Racing: “The plan was really to chase a hunter and I just had to run into him again to prepare.
“I'm not sure we didn't make a bodge of this and I'm not sure he's still eligible (for a chase) now – maybe he'll have to go and win a Grand National or something instead!”
“He has disappointed me a bit and we were just trying to reproduce his enthusiasm because he was a very good horse. We may have to think again.
“He really enjoyed himself and he hasn't been over fences for a long time only because of his fall at Wetherby a couple of years ago which really hurt him and damaged him his courage.
“He spent last year running sporadically over hurdles and it was hard work, I have to admit, but he's just beautiful.
“He jumped well, he traveled well and he just follows them around. I thought he would get tired, but it's good to see him come back and do that. It was a little unexpected at the time though I must admit.”
Kalif Du Berlais conquers Ditcheat's team
Kalif Du Berlais got Paul Nicholls' new year off to a good start with a bloodless display in the opening Sonic The Hedgehog 3 In Cinemas Now Novices' Limited Handicap Chase at Cheltenham.
Some of the Ditcheat handler's string failed over the Christmas period, including favorite Regent's Stroll in the same colors as owner Sir Alex Ferguson at Newbury last Saturday.
However, there were no such problems for 4-7 favorite Kalif Du Berlais, who easily dispatched his two rivals under the unmoved Harry Cobden to build on his autumn victory.
Cobden told Racing TV: “We've always liked him a lot and he was very lucky not to hurt himself at Carlisle the first time when he had a big fall at the ditch.
“Today the plan was to be in the lead but I didn't think we were going too fast, so I let him go and I thought his jump was outstanding good.
“He's not riding like a five-year-old and he just turned that around today. Everything was very certain and there was no doubt.
“We've got plenty of options on where to go and he'll definitely get two and a half miles. But he's only five isn't he, so he probably doesn't want tons of miles on the clock at a young age .I'm lucky to have him.”
Diva Luna (5-4 favourite) bravely repelled the challenge of Newton Tornado to win the Maiden Hurdle, Richmond Villages And Bupa Care Homes.
Trained by Ben Pauling and ridden by Kielan Woods, Diva Luna was a promising Grade Two winner at Aintree but suffered a dramatic reversal when she was hit on her handicap bow last month.
The six-year-old made amends with a brilliant performance, digging deep after jumping last to hold on for a one and three-quarter length decision which saw her cut to 14-1 from 25s by Paddy Power for the Mares. 'Novices' Hurdle at the Festival in March.
