THERE was a fairytale result to the Champion Chase at Cheltenham on Wednesday but, disappointingly, it didn’t concern Brian Hughes and the Mick Channon-trained Somerbsy with the 12-year-old, having raced prominently throughout, fading to finish fifth behind Sprinter Sacre.

However, there had been better luck for south Armagh-born Hughes on Tuesday when he landed the concluding listed novices’ handicap chase over an extended two and a half miles on Ballyalton who, last time out, had suffered a very heavy fall when competing in novice Grade 2 company at Ascot last month.