Famous Five For Garde Champetre

Garde Champetre (left) - fifth win over the course.

Garde Champetre recorded a fifth success over the Cheltenham cross-country course and followed-up his recent triumph at The Open meeting when bravely defying 11st 12lb under JT McNamara in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase.

One of three runners for owner JP McManus and trainer Enda Bolger near four mile race, Garde Champetre always travelled with purpose as stablemate Heads Onthe Ground made the running under Nina Carberry.

There were five horses in with a shout at the final obstacle but Grade Champetre pulled out extra where it mattered to repel Sizing Australia by three-quarters of a length, with Maljimar back in third and Freneys Well fourth.

Heads Onthe Ground weakened to finish just out of the money.

Bolger said: "We were scared about that weight on his back and he was slipping into different shoes with JT on board. Nina had no problem stepping in with Heads and it gave JT the opportunity to ride instead of watching the race on TV.

"He's an experienced horse and fair dues has won with his ears pricked. It was great."

Bolger added that Carberry would be back on board the winner at the Festival in which Bolger could also be represented by L'Ami, who has undergone wind surgery.

He went on: "I'm a lucky man having Mr McManus throwing his horses at me. They are all pretty decent in their own right."