Peaky Boy© Photo Healy Racing
Peaky Boy looked to have plenty of scope for improvement when staying on strongly to land the mallardjewellers.com Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase at Cheltenham for Nicky Henderson.
Nico de Boinville’s mount was off the bridle some way from home but gradually warmed to the task and ultimately got better and better the further they went.
The six-year-old, who was two from two over hurdles at Prestbury Park last season, came home powerfully to finish two and a half lengths clear of Westerninthepark as the 9-5 favourite.
De Boinville said: “I’d say we’ll probably be looking to step him up in trip now. That was sharp enough for him there.
“He’s very slick and from day one he’s been very good at home, so I’m delighted with that performance because he had to knuckle down and try hard today.”
Henderson added: “I never thought he was travelling like I thought he would, but don’t forget, he’s only had two runs over hurdles, so on the trickiest course in the country, asking him to jump these fences, I think there’s a lot of inexperience in there.
“There’s a lot more to come. His jumping was good and tidy, but as I say, he has very little experience. We thought he was good, but would he know enough? He will be nice.
“I’ve always had a bit of a rule in my head that this is a brave place to come first time out over fences. It was quite a brave shout.
“We’re very lucky at the moment, I think we’ve a very strong team of novice chasers, but we haven’t got a very good programme for novice chasers. (So) I’d got to get on.
“His jumping was perfect, I think there’s more to come in racing knowledge. I don’t think it will be long before he goes three miles, although I don’t think we’re in a desperate rush to get there.”
Ace Of Spades might not have been the biggest winner for Dan and Harry Skelton over the three days of the November Meeting but none can claim to have shown more determination.
The five-year-old was always hard at work out in front and looked beaten when headed by both Whimsy and Country Park approaching the last in the Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice Maiden Hurdle.
However, he rallied in courageous fashion to get back up and score by a length at even money.
Harry Skelton enjoyed a much easier time of it when Fortune De Mer (5-2) cruised to a cheeky half-length success in the Junior Jumpers Open National Hunt Flat Race, giving the yard four winners over the weekend.
Matata made all to land the Three Counties Christmas Handicap Chase as an 11-10 market leader for Nigel and Sam Twiston-Davies.
The six-year-old had seen off Calico and Third Time Lucki turning for home but Gunsight Ridge came from a long way back to mount a challenge.
However, that rival fell at the final fence, leaving Matata to score by 26 lengths.
Twiston-Davies said: “That was great, really good. I think he’d like it softer, but it was a great run.
“We will look for the right opportunities for him. He has to go left-handed which cuts down our chances a bit so I don’t know where he will go next. I will speak to Anthony Bromley (racing manager) and Simon (Munir) and Isaac (Souede).
“In the end, I’m sure he’ll finish up back here in the Queen Mother (Champion Chase) but where we go before then there is a slight problem with a horse called Jonbon! We’ll see.”
