Haldon Gold Cup report | Janika strikes Gold at Exeter
Nicky Henderson's Janika made an excellent winning reappearance in the Coral Haldon Gold Cup under top weight at Exeter on Tuesday.
The six-year-old, who went off the 5/2 favourite, went into the race rated 162 after a couple of seconds in handicap company at Cheltenham last season but his time in the sphere could well be over after this display.
Owned by Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, retained jockey Daryl Jacob took up the running three from home and jumped well late on to secure the prizemoney from Dolos who ran on for second.
Dan Skelton's Destrier, who jumped to his left throughout, was always prominent but had to settle for third in the end.
The trio were well clear of the rest.
Jacob said: "He deserved that really. He ran some mighty races in defeat last season, and that is no more than the horse deserves.
"We are delighted because we needed to learn a little bit more about the horse, his grade and what we need to aim him at - so today was perfect for him.
"(The trip) was a little bit of a question mark, because he has been running over two and a half and two-five, but they went a nice even gallop there.
"The ground was still quick enough for him, so softer ground again will suit him better. Soft ground, two-one or two-miles-two round here is fine, but you probably wouldn't go two miles around a flat track.
"He is only a young horse, so he could have improvement in him. He has got a big heart - but he is only a small horse. A lot of credit has to go to Hannah (Ryan), who looks after him - she has done a wonderful job."
Paul Nicholls said of Dolos: "I'm thrilled with him. He went up five or six pounds for winning at Kempton and he has been beaten by just over two lengths, so that probably didn't help him.
"He has run a super race and is an improving horse. He is one of those horses that gives everything - he always performs above his capability, and he is genuine.
"He might be better off if we chucked him in some better races rather than carrying big weights in handicaps. We will find something for him. You don't mind horses like him that give everything."
Dan Skelton said of Destrier: "It was a good run. We were bang up there the whole way. He made a bit of a mistake four out, but he kept on galloping.
"There are no excuses. He has jumped exceptionally well apart from one jump, but that is how it is. It may have cost us a little bit, but I'm not grumbling."
Rest of Exeter review
Sporting John looked a potential future star as he made his rules debut an impressively triumphant one in the D & S Commissioning Novices' Hurdle at Exeter.
The Philip Hobbs-trained four-year-old paid back a slice of the £160,000 laid out for him by owner JP McManus in March when running on strongly from the back of the last in the two-mile contest to defeat Harry Senior by a length and three-quarters.
Sporting John was quickly introduced into the betting for next year's Grade One Cheltenham novice hurdles - at 25-1 for the Ballymore and 33-1 for the Supreme by some bookies.
After the 11-4 victory, Hobbs said: "(Jockey) Barry (Geraghty) thought to keep him at that trip again next time - but I'm sure in time he will want further.
"I think he is too green for a better race, so I think we will go for a small race with a penalty.
"I'd imagine he will at least go two and a half this season. He has got a great attitude, and everything at home has been very pleasing.
"You've got to be delighted with him coming here and doing that. I thought today he might need the experience - which he has, but he has still managed to win."
Isabel Williams was not the only member of her family smiling after steering Virginia Chick, trained by her dad Evan and owned by her mother Cath, to his first victory over fences - by three-quarters of a length in the coral.co.uk Novices' Chase.
The winning jockey picked up a two-day whip ban, but was able to reflect nonetheless on a heartening 14-1 win.
She said: "He was really progressive over hurdles, but we were a little bit stuck at the end of last season.
"We thought we would try him over fences to see if he would like it - and he jumped really well the last day at Uttoxeter, where he needed the run.
"Three miles round here was perfect for him - plus he was already a course winner, so we knew the track was fine."
Williams, 22, was greeted in the winner's enclosure by her delighted grandmother Mary Evans - who said: "I'm very proud of her.
"He just worked his way into it, and she has given him a peach of a ride.
"She had to sit quietly on him, and you have to let him work it out. It is very emotional, watching her win."
Kim Bailey was out of luck with Charbel in the feature Haldon Gold Cup - but 11-4 shot Those Tiger Feet ensured he left the Devon track with a winner, sealing the Visit The New coralchampionsclub.co.uk Website Handicap Hurdle by a length and a quarter.
Bailey said: "He rather lost his way last season and disappointed us over hurdles, after winning a bumper at Hereford.
"He is slightly quirky - as you saw today, he was all over the racecourse. He won't run again quickly, because that will make him worse if we do that."
The Andoversford trainer was at a loss to explain Charbel's poor showing, but still hopes to get him back on course to defend his Peterborough Chase title at Huntingdon next month.
"I was disappointed with Charbel, because he didn't really jump," said Bailey.
"I want to go to the Peterborough Chase with him - but I want to see him in a better situation than that."