Southfield Stone delights Nicholls at Cheltenham

Winner will be given Paddy Power Gold Cup entry.

Southfield Stone resumed his progression over fences with a near foot-perfect round of jumping in the Best Odds At Matchbook Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham.

Having finished in the frame in all five starts over fences last season, the Paul Nicholls-trained seven-year-old went one better than on his most recent appearance in a Grade Two at Kempton in February to claim the two-and-a-half-mile prize.

Racing close to the pace throughout, the 2-1 second-favourite rallied back past Coole Cody between the final two fences, before staying on well to claim victory by a length and a half, on his first start since under going a wind operation.

Nicholls said: “He has been one of those lucky horses that couldn’t run in the spring because of Covid-19 and he is able to be a novice until December 1. That bit of experience just helps them. He ran some nice races last year. Physically he is a better horse this year and that was probably his best performance.

“He is a nice horse and will win plenty of races. We have just got to place him in the right races. Going left-handed suits him better and that is the best he has jumped today.

“He would have won the Pendil at Kempton last season if he hadn’t walked through the ditch at the far side. He wasn’t quite jumping and his wind was troubling him a fraction, but we’ve sorted that out.”

Assessing future targets, the Ditcheat handler earmarked a return to Cheltenham for the Paddy Power Gold Cup, for which he was introduced at 16-1 by Sky Bet.

He added: “I will enter him in the Paddy Power Gold Cup as he is a second-season novice and that could be an option. The other option is to come back for the novice chase at the meeting over the same trip.”

A view of the empty stands during the Masterson Holdings Hurdle
A view of the empty stands during the Masterson Holdings Hurdle (David Davies/PA)

Botox Has defied a 315-day absence to make a triumphant return to action in the Masterson Holdings Hurdle.

The Gary Moore-trained four-year-old picked up where he left off in the extended two-mile prize, on his first start since claiming a Triumph Hurdle trial in December.

Tracking the early pace cut out by Allmankind, the 11-2 chance moved into a lead he would not surrender on the approach to the last.

Finding plenty, Botox Has crossed the line four lengths clear of The Pink’N, with favourite Allmankind a further three and a half lengths adrift back in third.

Winning jockey Joshua Moore said: “He won nicely. He picked up quicker than I expected down the hill and he saw it out really well. I was hoping it wouldn’t turn into a test of speed, so I sat as close as I could to Harry (Skelton, on Allmankind) and he hit the hill and galloped out well.

“When I rode him here in the November meeting, I rode him with the future in mind and I took the wider route for the better ground at the time and he was a weaker horse last year. This time I rode him closer and I was quite confident he would give him (Allmankind) a race.

“The Elite Hurdle wouldn’t be for this lad, as it would be too quick (of a return) for him.”

Botox Has was introduced at 50-1 for the Champion Hurdle by Betfair, while William Hill went 33-1 for the same race.

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Paul Nicholls Cheltenham Gary Moore

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