THE final race on the opening day of the 2015 Cheltenham Festival was the Listed CHAPS Restaurant Barbados Novices’ Handicap Chase, over two miles, four and a half furlongs and it was won by Irish Cavalier who came late and swept past his rivals to win by two and a half lengths.

This was his first win from four starts over fences and it adds to a tally of three wins from five outings over hurdles and a single win from two starts in bumpers.