THE three-mile novices’ handicap chase at Cheltenham’s October meeting was a race that had a significant impact on proceedings on both sides of the Irish Sea last weekend. Shantou Flyer, who won the October race, landed the Grade 2 Florida Pearl Chase at Punchestown last Sunday, beating some fellow highly promising staying novice chasers in the process, while Vicente, third in the October race, landed the three-mile novices’ chase at Cheltenham’s November meeting on Friday.

Vicente’s task was made easier by the departure of Blaklion at the second last fence, and there was a sense that favourite Un Temps Pour Tout under-performed.