The Druids Nephew won the Ultima Business Solutions Handicap Chase at Cheltenham Festival
Tuesday 10 March 2015 16:27, UK
The Druids Nephew gave Neil Mulholland a first Cheltenham Festival winner in the Ultima Business Solutions Handicap Chase.
The progressive eight-year-old was always travelling strongly under Barry Geraghty in a prominent position and hit the front coming down the hill.
There were still a number of rivals going equally well at that stage, however, notably the well-backed Pendra who was attempting to provide owner JP McManus with a winner on his birthday.
The soon-to-be-retired Tony McCoy soon sent out the distress signals in the saddle though but there was no such alarm from Geraghty who took lengths out of the chasing pack approaching the last.
He took that flight in his stride and kept on well up the hill to score at odds of 8/1.
He was chased home by Irish raider Grand Jesture with Indian Castle running a gallant race in third, edging out Gallant Oscar with Pendra weakening into fifth.
The Druids Nephew holds an entry in the Crabbie's Grand National and was cut to around 16/1 for the Aintree showpiece.
Geraghty said: "He jumped nicely. Every time I gave him a squeeze, he quickened. It's only when you come here you realise what it means (to have a winner).
"Everyone wants to ride a winner so it's good to have got one on the board."
Mulholland said: "We've kept him for this for a while and thankfully it's paid off. Barry knows the horse now, he's ridden him in the past and the horse was in great order.
"I thought the horse was in the best condition we've had him in.
"It's very important for us. That's our 53rd winner since May, including the Flat, so we're delighted. Things are going well, but it's all about Cheltenham. This is our World Cup."
Of the Grand National, Mulholland added: "I'll have to have a word with Barry about it. I'm not going to talk it up now, it's all for another day and I want to enjoy this first.
"This has been the plan for a while. We gave him a freshener over hurdles as we knew he already had solid handicap form.
"When he ran behind Sam Winner here, we ran him not knowing if he would stay but he proved that day he did.
"Barry and I have been friendly for a long time so we have a good relationship and it helps having someone to bounce ideas off."
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Trainer Henry De Bromhead was delighted with the performance of Grand Jesture after the 25/1 shot finished the three-and-three-quarter length runner-up.
Dr Bromhead had entertained thoughts of running the seven-year-old in this year's Crabbie's Grand National but decided to wait another year and the Aintree showpiece could be the target next year following his run here.
"We're delighted," said the trainer. "Super run and a super ride. He's a tough horse and you'd hope he'd be an English National hope next year. I was going to enter him this year but then I looked at his age so I just scratched him so he's not in it this year.
"We'll see what his campaign will be next year. He's there to win races and you need to win them to get in the National nowadays.
"We've not had a bad day. I was a bit disappointed with Smashing (seventh in the Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy) and I think I've picked the wrong race for him unfortunately. He looked completely outpaced.
"Sizing John ran a super race in the Supreme Novices' though. I remember going home with my tail between my legs after his run at Gowran Park when he was beaten but the winner that day was Douvan so I suppose that form has stood up!"
Tony Martin was also happy with Gallant Oscar, who finished a further one and a half lengths back in third.
"I'm absolutely delighted with him," said the trainer.
"He galloped and stayed on really well. He jumped very nicely, travelled throughout and was staying on well at the finish. He came into the race travelling well and saw the trip out well, I was really happy with the run.
"We have plenty of options for him including going to Leopardstown or Punchestown. Obviously, we'll see how he comes out of the race and then decide where we will go but he has a range of possible races he could be targeted for."
