Chantry House turned back years to take the Betfair Handicap Chase in decisive fashion at Cheltenham.
Veteran Nicky Henderson was a double Grade 1 winner in his novice chase days, winning at both the Cheltenham Festival and Aintree in 2021.
He became a contender for the Gold Cup the following year, but was withdrawn to the blue ribbon after winning the Cotswold Chase on Trials Day. Since then, he has found it difficult to achieve victories and was recently seen campaigning over obstacles.
Returning to bigger hurdles on the day he turned 11, Chantry House showed much of his old gusto when sent off at 8-1 and traveled kindly for his pilot Nico de Boinville to chase Ben Bowling's Bowtogreatness and Sam Thomas' Our Power in the straight.
He was ridden by De Boinville heading towards the last before running home six and a half lengths behind Our Power who edged Bowtogreatness into second. Nigel Twiston-Davies' 5-6 favorite Broadway Boy finished fourth.
“The plan was to go chase Hunter with him and I just needed to run with him again to set him up,” a surprised Henderson told ITV Racing.
“I'm not sure we haven't done that and I'm not sure he's still eligible (for the Hunter Chases) now – maybe he should go and win the Grand National or something instead!
“It held me back a bit and we were just trying to rekindle his enthusiasm because he was a very good horse. Maybe we have to rethink.”
“He's really enjoyed himself and he's only been over the fences for a long time because he had a fall at Wetherby a couple of years ago which really hurt him and damaged his confidence.
“He spent the last year running sporadically over hurdles, which was hard work, I have to admit, but it was great.
“He jumped well, traveled well and just followed them. I thought he was going to get tired, but it's nice to see him come back and do it. It was a bit unexpected at the time though I have to admit.”
Calif de Berlé impresses for Ditchett's team
Kalif Du Berlais got Paul Nicholls' new year off to a flying start with a bloodless showing in the opening Sonic The Hedgehog 3 in the Cinemas Now Novices' Limited Handicap Chase at Cheltenham.
Some of the Ditcheat handler's leads failed to shine over the Christmas period, including Regent's Stroll who was favorite in the same colors as part-owner Sir Alex Ferguson at Newbury last Saturday.
However, there were no such problems for 4-7 favorite Calif du Perlé, who easily sent his rivals under Harry Cobden helpless to build on his autumn chase win.
Cobden told Racing TV: “We always liked him very much and he was very lucky that he didn't hurt himself at Carlisle the first time when he had a terrible fall in the ditch.
“Today the plan was to take the lead but I didn't think we were going too fast, so I let him get away and I thought his jump was great.
“He doesn't ride like a five-year-old and that changed today. Everything was very assured and there was never any doubt.
“We have a lot of options on where we can go and he'll definitely go two and a half miles. But he's only five, right, so he probably doesn't want to put a lot of miles on the clock at such a young age. We're lucky to have him.”
Diva Luna (5-4 favourite) bravely held off the challenge of Newton Tornado to win the Richmond Villages and Bubba Care Homes Maiden Hurdle.
Diva Luna, trained by Ben Bowling and ridden by Kellan Woods, was a Grade 2 winner at Aintree, but suffered a surprise setback when she was beaten over the steeplechase last month.
The six-year-old made up for her brave performance, digging deep after jumping into last place to hold on to a one-and-three-quarter length ruling that saw her cut to 14-1 from 25 seconds for the Paddy Power Mares Novices' Hurdle at the Festival in March.
