COUNT Meribel, one of the horses to accompany Jim Old when the retired trainer joined Nigel Twiston-Davies, won a dramatic Steel Plate And Sections Novices’ Chase, recovering from a major error two out to get up again on the run-in for Mark Grant and deny long-time leader Le Breuil by a neck.

Mr Whipped and Jenkins, both trained by Nicky Henderson, were right behind in third and fourth with a couple of lengths covering the first four in a tremendous finish.