Cheltenham Wednesday

CHELTENHAM began its final rules meeting of the season on Wednesday, when Mister Whitaker regained his best form to take the valuable Cure Parkinson’s And Hambo Foundation Silver Trophy, a limited handicap chase over the extended two and a half miles.

Disappointing in the Ultima at the festival, Mick Channon’s seven-year-old responded to cheekpieces and was given a fine ride by Jonathan Burke, who was winning his first Cheltenham race at the 51st attempt.

Richard Johnson led on Imperial Presence but an awkward mistake two out cost him his chance, at which point Highway One O One went on. Mister Whitaker collared him at the last and looked like coming clear, only for the mare Got Away and Leighton Aspell to come with a late rattle. However, just when it seemed she must go past, Mister Whitaker (4/1 co-favourite) found the reserves to cling on and hold her by a neck with Highway One O One third.

This was a welcome success for Cheltenham supporter Tim Radford, while Channon was completing an across-the-card double, Birkenhead having won the opener at Beverley.

His son Jack earmarked the BetVictor here next November as a likely target.

“It had become a hoodoo which was really beginning to bug me, so it’s a huge relief,” Burke said. “I’ve finished second plenty of times but at the 51st attempt I’m finally over the line.”

SKELTON CLOSES IN ON 200

Trainer Dan Skelton moved to within six of his targeted 200 winners for the season when Cobra De Mai ran away with a three-mile, two-furlong handicap chase in the hands of brother Harry.

Winners were hard to find on the quicker spring ground, however Sam Twiston-Davies’ followers were happy when Dr Richard Newland’s 14/1 shot Le Patriote took advantage of the well-backed Golden Birthday’s fall at the last in the Kingston Stud Handicap Hurdle. Johnson fell heavily from I’m A Game Changer in that and missed a winner in the next, Daryl Jacob deputising on Warren Greatrex’s Bob Mahler.

Another betting ‘plunge’ went astray when First Assignment, very short at 6/4 in the three-mile handicap hurdle, could finish only fourth behind Debra Hamer’s Pertemps runner-up Tobefair, 15/2.