FOX Norton made a triumphant first start since joining trainer Colin Tizzard when coming out on top in Cheltenham's Shloer Chase in a race marred by the fatal injury sustained to Simonsig.

The 5-2 shot came through strongly for Aidan Coleman as he stormed into the lead before the second-last fence after Special Tiara had set the pace. Simply Ned took the runner-up spot, nine lengths away, with Special Tiara the same distance away in third.

Coleman said: "He's a very straightforward and uncomplicated horse. He loves his racing. I think he'd be better on better ground again."

But the sense of deflation around Cheltenham was palpable after Simonsig broke a leg and had to be put down after falling at the third fence. The 10-year-old grey, trained by Nicky Henderson, won eight races from 13 starts under Rules in a truncated career that was continually thwarted by fitness issues.

Winner of the Neptune Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March 2012, he then struck gold in the Arkle Trophy a year later.

Simonsig was sidelined by injury since that final Festival success and only returned to the track at Aintree in November 2015, after which he only raced three more times.

Just minutes before the Shloer Chase, a tearful Henderson saluted the Cheltenham crowd after the great Sprinter Sacre paraded following the announcement earlier in the day that he has been retired.

NOVICE CHASE

Le Prezien cashed in on a late fall from Some Plan to win the Racing Post Arkle Trophy Trial Novices' Chase.

Trained by Paul Nicholls and ridden by Barry Geraghty, the successful five-year-old hardly dazzled in the jumping department for a great deal of the two-mile journey.

But once Henry de Bromhead's raider Some Plan fell two fences from home, Le Prezien (8-11 favourite) seized the initiative under Geraghty. Nearest pursuer Hammersly Lake was four lengths away in second.

Nicholls said: "Mr (JP) McManus (owner) was happy to run him and as it turned out it was the perfect race for him. He got better with his jumping as he warmed up. He was a bit like that over hurdles. I think slightly better ground may suit him.

"He's not the biggest in the world, but he's very athletic and is just going to keep learning. He is a strong stayer. Over two (miles), if the ground was good it would be quick for him, so he'd want further. On testing ground you wouldn't know.

"We've always thought he was quite nice. He's only a young horse and can only get stronger."

Geraghty said: "He did it well. I suppose his task was made easier when Some Plan came down two out. His jumping was OK, but he has a bit to learn."

LONG ABSENCE

North Hill Harvey plugged on resolutely up the hill to see off all-comers in the stanjames.com Greatwood Handicap Hurdle. The Dan Skelton-trained five-year-old overcame a 219-day absence to win this prestigious prize in admirable fashion.

A fervent early pace was set by Sternrubin, Cyrius Moriviere and Wolf Of Windlesham before the race got serious from the third-last flight. Wolf Of Windlesham came down two out and North Hill Harvey soon went by Sternrubin under a confident Harry Skelton.

He went two lengths clear, but the challengers came thick and fast and North Hill Harvey (6-1) had to knuckle down to keep Modus at bay by half a length. Song Light was third, with A Hare Breath fourth.

The winning rider said: "He's a good horse and was fit for the race. I'm delighted for the owners. They really are great people. I'm really happy for them and the horse. It's nice to have a nice novice like him and see him go on. He's a chaser in the making, really."

The successful trainer said: "I thought Modus had come to beat us, but our horse stuck his head out when he needed to. I'll probably look to come back here for the International if he's OK, but he's a chaser for next year. It's a magical day."

NOVICES' HURDLE

Moon Racer convincingly upheld form with Ballyandy when successful in the Sky Bet Supreme Trial Novices´ Hurdle.

The two Champion Bumper heroes clashed on their first starts over hurdles at Perth in September, with Moon Racer winning the argument by three-quarters of a length. But this time Ballyandy could only finish a staying-on third in the Grade 2 over two miles.

Mirsaale made most of the running, with Moon Racer and Ballyandy second and third respectively for a long way.

Moon Racer and Tom Scudamore then ranged up alongside the front-runner at the second-last and never looked like getting beaten from there on in. Mirsaale creditably stuck on for second, beaten two and a quarter lengths by the impressive 9-4 scorer.

Scudamore said: "When it all comes right it looks good. Fortunately, I had a very, very talented partner."

Pipe said: "It was a great performance. Both him and Ballyandy are good horses and we thought he'd improved from Perth. He only does just enough, but Scu (Scudamore) was always confident.

"He's very deceiving. You'd think he'd want further, but he's got a great turn of foot. He's very much one to look forward to. He might come back here in December if there's a race. I think he might be better on better ground. He'll have an entry in the Champion Hurdle. Why not?"