SMAD PLACE MADE the most of odds-on favourite Djakadam’s 10th-fence fall to claim victory in the BetBright Trial Chase at Cheltenham today.
Alan King’s grey, under Richard Johnson, led from early on and saw off the challenge of old foe Many Clouds by 12 lengths on the run in to the line. Theatre Guide was another 24 lengths behind in third.
Gold-Cup favourite Djakadam’s fall came as Ruby Walsh was moving Willie Mullins’ mount into contention.
Djakadam had the best part of a circuit to run when he came down. He suffered minor cuts from the fall but there were no major concerns about his health.
Smad Place’s victory highlighted his Gold Cup credentials and has already shaken up the market for the Cheltenham showpiece; Djakadam is now a 9/2 joint favourite for the race alongside Vautour, with Smad Place shortened in to 16/1 from 33/1.
King stayed tight-lipped on his intentions for the horse after the race with the Ryanair Chase also in the reckoning for the nine-year-old.
It was a day to remember for King as Annacotty had earlier repeated last year’s performance in winning the freebets.com Trophy Handicap Chase. And Yanworth won the Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle at a canter.
Annacotty held off Tenor Nivernais’ challenge to win by just over a length with Lost Legend well behind in third.
Yanworth also outlined his Cheltenham credentials with a stunning victory under Barry Geraghty, with the Neptune Novices’ Hurdle and Supreme Novices’ Hurdle both on his radar.
Thistlecrack was another to impress at Cheltenham today, the 4/5 favourite cruising home in the Cleeve Hurdle which sent a clear message to his rivals for the World Hurdle.
Colin Tizzard’s star never looked troubled in the hands of Tom Scudamore as the eight-year-old claimed an eight-length victory.
Ptit Zig ran on for second with The Romford Pele making up the minor placings.
At Doncaster, Barters Hill kept his unbeaten record alive as he claimed the honours in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle.
Ben Pauling’s stable star lived up to his favourite tag as he came home ahead of Ballydine and Ami Desbois.
Earlier in the day, Smart Talk overcame a couple of late jumping errors to prevail in the OLBG.com Mares’ Hurdle for Brian Ellison.
Paddy Brennan’s ride showed great character to grind out the win ahead of Lily Waugh and Morning Run.
Vaniteux was another who enhanced his Cheltenham Festival credentials with an impressive win in the grand-national2016.co.uk Lightning Novices’ Chase.
Nicky Henderson’s seven-year-old kept on well towards the finish to hit the line ahead of Arzal and Fox Norton.
