3 minute read

Garde La Victoire took his unbeaten record over fences to two with a hard-fought triumph in the Racing Post Arkle Trophy Trial Novices' Chase at Cheltenham.

Winner of the Greatwood Hurdle on this card 12 months ago, the Philip Hobbs-trained six-year-old jumped into the lead at the final fence after Fox Norton had set the pace.

The latter did not give in without a struggle but Garde La Victoire (8-15 favourite) pulled away in the last 100 yards to score by two and a half lengths and supplement his success at Uttoxeter two weeks ago.

It was back to business as usual for champion jockey-elect Richard Johnson, who had been unceremoniously dumped out of the saddle by Drumlee Sunset shortly after the start for the opening contest.

Johnson said: "He was very good. The ground is a bit dead which he doesn't really like and he was just a bit sloppy at one or two. Hopefully there's more to come.

"When they're starting out they have to learn from their mistakes and hopefully he will improve."

On the first race mishap, Johnson added: "The horse just looked at the tape and just spooked at that and unfortunately I ended up on the ground.

"It's nice to get a winner."

Hobbs said: "He had much more respect for his fences today than he did at Uttoxeter, as he was a little bit over-brave. Today he was much more accurate.

"He has probably improved on the jumping front. At the second-last he had to dig quite deep, but he stayed on well and he looks like a horse that wants two and a half miles.

"I imagine the Arkle will be the plan and I'd say you need a horse to stay two and a half to win that.

"He's a good brave horse. He always had a go and it's a big relief to get today over with.

"Experienced wise he might need a couple of runs, but he's tough so he might run more than that.

"The race at Sandown, the Henry VIII Novices' Chase, is the obvious race before Christmas."