Clan Des Obeaux got his career back in track at Exeter

Clan Des Obeaux got his career back in track following a disappointing display in a Grade One contest at Sandown with a hard-fought success in the Higos Insurance Services Novices' Chase at Exeter.

The Paul Nicholls-trained five-year-old had fluffed his lines when sent off market lead for the Scilly Isles Novices' Chase when last of five behind Top Notch, who went on to finish second in the JLT at Cheltenham.

It was therefore back to the drawing board for Clan Des Obeaux and a confidence-boosting victory needed.

The 4-9 shot had only one realistic danger in a three-runner affair but that horse, Drumlee Sunset, pushed him all the way.

Sam Twiston-Davies had to get at Clan Des Obeaux after the three-times winner Drumlee Sunset had set a decent pace.

There was nothing between them from four out, but the odds-on favourite finally gained the upper hand at the final fence and went on to score by 11 lengths.

An in-form Galactic Power (11-2 favourite) made most of his light weight to take the Higos Insurance Services Plymstock Handicap Hurdle.

The Robin Dickin-trained gelding had ended a 22-month losing streak when successful at Catterick in January and followed up in eyecatching fashion.

Held up towards the rear of the field by Jack Quinlan, Galactic Power headed Boy In A Bentley on jumping the final flight and pulled two and a half lengths clear on the run-in.

"I'm very pleased with that," said Dickin.

"It's rained hard and I thought that might rain on his parade but he stays so well and stayed on well from the last to the line.

"He was always going to be better right-handed. He's a hold-up horse and Exeter is a lovely place to hold a horse up on and I'd like to think it's not the end for him, either.

"He's very versatile and could go further. Getting into May and he's in one piece, I wouldn't be against putting him back over fences.

"Although he's little, he does jump very well."

Bertie Boru (9-2) enjoyed his first success since November 2014 when running out a convincing winner of the Higos Insurance Services Exeter Interactive Handicap Chase.

The 10-year-old, trained by Philip Hobbs, had failed to complete the course in his previous two starts but put in a solid round of jumping.

Asserting from three out under Tom O'Brien, Brian Boru skated 11 lengths clear of Themanfrom Minella.

O'Brien completed a double at Hobbs' expense when Zerachiel (13-2) collared Bacchanel close home in the Higos Insurance Services Braunton Novices' Handicap Chase.

Gerard Tumelty narrowly failed to end his riding career with a winner when Canford Chimes was pipped by Mikey Legg on Just A Sting (3-1) in the concluding bumper.