27 January 2024 , 18:40
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Teenage sensation Freddie Gingell and Elixir De Nutz knocked Jonbon off the number one spot at Cheltenham.
The 18-year-old’s willing grey, an unconsidered 22-1 chance, benefited from the red-hot favourite’s jumping flaws. It was almost game over at the Clarence House Chase’s fourth last obstacle, when Jonbon’s blunder drew gasps from Festival Trials Day racegoers.
But the 1-4 market leader, who was unbeaten since last March’s Festival, worked his way back into it under James Bowen. On course to justify his short odds with two to jump, Jonbon lost concentration and Elixir De Nutz’s slicker final leap made all the difference.
It was a first Grade One for 5lb claimer Gingell – who tragically lost his mum to cancer in 2020 – and his uncle, Dorset handler Joe Tizzard.
“That was definitely the most emotional success I’ve had,” said Gingell, whose horse carried the colours of 92-year-old Terry Warner in the My Pension Expert-sponsored race. "Mum was up there looking down on me today.”
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With 44 days to go until the 2024 Festival, punters took the hint from its all-time top trainer Willie Mullins.
Capodanno halved in price to 7-2 before his success in the Paddy Power Cotswold Chase, which advertised the form of the stable’s reigning Gold Cup hero Galopin Des Champs. Paul Townend delivered his mount with a late charge to thwart former Festival hero The Real Whacker and Stay Away Fay.
The Irishman was then merely a passenger on diminutive Closutton-trained grey Lossiemouth (4-7 fav), who was a different class in the Unibet Hurdle as he left Love Envoi in his wake.
Bookmakers reacted to the nine-and-a-half length romp by cutting her Mares’ Hurdle odds to 4-5 (from 2-1).
Capodanno and Paul Townend on their way to winning the Paddy Power Cotswold Chase (PA)“I was 100 per cent nervous coming into today – I only watched the last few yards,” said owner Rich Ricci. “She is a very good filly and we have always thought the world of her.”
Sir Gino oozed class to jump ahead of fellow juvenile Burdett Road in the ante-post JCB Triumph Hurdle betting.
Billed as a head-to-head between the key contenders, its course and distance Trial ended up as one-way traffic.
Nicky Henderson's 5-4 shot quickened impressively to pull ten lengths clear of his main market rival. Sir Gino is evens with William Hill to follow-up in its namesake race in March, with Burdett Road pushed out to 8-1.
"He knew exactly what to do today," said Henderson, chasing a record eighth Triumph title. "James (Bowen) gave him one flick to say let's go and the acceleration was considerable."