Pacha Du Polder (right)© Photo Healy Racing
Pacha Du Polder and Wonderful Charm gave Paul Nicholls a one-two in the St James's Place Foxhunter Challenge Cup as the Ditcheat trainer finally had his first winner of the week at the Cheltenham Festival.
Fifth under Victoria Pendleton 12 months ago, Bryony Frost took the reins this time and rode a confident race on the 10-year-old. Balnaslow made a brave attempt to make all the running but Pacha Du Polder sneaked up his inside at the final fence and went on from there.
Wonderful Charm came from the clouds to take second place, beaten a neck, with Barrel Of Laughs another neck back in third and On The Fringe fourth after winning the race for the previous two years.
Nicholls said: "Everyone always expects plenty this week, it's been an amazing week.
"Saphir Du Rheu in the Gold Cup (fifth) gave me an amazing buzz and for young Bryony to ride him like that is great. She's Jimmy's (Frost, Grand National winner) daughter and to give these young girls chances is great."
Frost said: "It's hard to describe, it's an unbelievable feeling. I've watched people ride winners here, but to actually be here in this enclosure is amazing.
"To jump the last and know you're still travelling - and he tried all the way.
"I saw the head of Wonderful Charm and all I could think was 'don't deny me today'.
"I couldn't have asked for a better run, maybe a bit more forward but I've only been here once before and got a bit left at the start.
"This horse travelled, he jumped and he stayed on. He tried his heart out.
"Bangor was a lovely prep, he came here fresh and the connections filled me with confidence."
