3 minute read
Fox Norton repeated last year's success in the Shloer Chase with an authoritative display in the Grade Two heat at Cheltenham.
The seven-year-old was another poignant winner following the death a week ago of his owner Alan Potts.
He sat nicely in second place behind old rival Special Tiara, before going on under Bryan Cooper before the second-last fence.
The Colin Tizzard-trained 4-5 favourite pulled away in a matter of strides to win by eight lengths. Cloudy Dream pipped Special Tiara for second spot. Fox Norton was cut to 2-1 from 9-2 for the Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown with Paddy Power.
Cooper said: "He's very smart, it's a fair thrill to ride one when they are going that speed and going so well."
Tizzard said: "I suppose we were half-expecting that on his last two runs last season and in this race last year as well. We didn't know about the ground, but the ground is obviously no concern and I don't think it is an issue what he runs on.
"He is a much bigger and heavier horse and there is absolutely no need to change from two miles at the moment. It was a lovely performance.
"The last thing we want is to bring these brilliant horses to the races not fit. I'm sure he will improve on that. He looks a heavier horse to me and that might be because he is older. The Tingle Creek will be next.
"It was always Alan Potts' wish to keep him away from Sizing John (Gold Cup winner), who still has the chance of winning the £1million bonus. If Sizing John gets beat (in the Betfair Chase on Saturday) and we won the Tingle Creek, he is entered in the King George just in case and we must not pigeon-hole horses.
"When he can win like that I don't see any real reason why we should step him up (in trip), but the biggest and most prestigious races are over three and a quarter miles.
"I'm chuffed for Bryan, as he has been under pressure. He gave Finian's Oscar a lovely ride and he was brilliant on this one today. No one could have rode him any better. Hopefully that will fill him up with confidence, as he is a good jockey."
Malcolm Jefferson said of Cloudy Dream, who was running after being taken out of the BetVictor Gold Cup in error: "He has run well and run a blinder. He will go back up in trip. In a way I'm glad he didn't run yesterday with 11st 12lb on that ground. That might have been the race that would finish him for the season.
"Trevor Hemmings (owner) wants an entry in the Gold Cup as he said he has won enough Ryanairs. We will give him an entry, as there is always a take-out stage. I think on good ground he would be fine as he settles nowadays. We will see what he is like, but there is the Peterborough Chase in three weeks' time."
Henry de Bromhead said of Special Tiara, who beat Fox Norton in the Champion Chase in March: "I'm absolutely delighted with him. He was brilliant and looks as good as ever, to be fair. The ground didn't help, but it didn't last year or the year before. It just caught him out.
"He really did battle on well. He could go to the Tingle Creek, but he might possibly go to the race at Kempton (Desert Orchid). We will see how he comes out of it."
