Foxhunter Challenge Cup report: Pacha perfect

Paul Nicholls opened his Cheltenham Festival account for the week as Pacha Du Polder won the St. James's Place Foxhunter Challenge Cup Open Hunters' Chase. Get the race report and reaction, plus the full result and free video replay.

4.10 Cheltenham - St. James's Place Foxhunter Challenge Cup Open Hunters' Chase

1st Pacha Du Polder 16/1

2nd Wonderful Charm 7/2

3rd Barel POf Laughs 100/1

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Race Report

Pacha Du Polder gave champion trainer Paul Nicholls his first victory of the 2017 Cheltenham Festival and his first ever success in the St. James's Place Foxhunter Challenge Cup Open Hunters' Chase when leading home a one-two for the yard.

The winner made the headlines 12 months ago when ridden by former Olympic gold-medalist Victoria Pendleton, finishing fifth to On The Fringe, and she reversed the form emphatically with victory under Bryony Frost this time around.

Pacha Du Polder travelled kindly on the heels of the leaders, as market leaders On The Fringe and eventual runner-up Wonderful Charm were held up near the back of the pack in the early stages.

Pacha Du Polder laid down a strong challenge to long-time leader Balnaslow and took it up approaching the last.

Meanwhile, Wonderful Charm and On The Fringe, both off the bridle a long way from home, were coming home strongly and the former flew home under Katie Walsh but Pacha Du Polder held on gamely by a neck as his stable companion and the rallying Barel Of Laughs closed in on him at the line.

Reaction

Frost said: "It's hard to describe, it's an unbelievable feeling.

"I've watched people ride winners here, but to actually be here in this enclosure is amazing.

"To jump the last and know you're still travelling - and he tried all the way.

"I saw the head of Wonderful Charm and all I could think was 'don't deny me today'.

"I couldn't have asked for a better run, maybe a bit more forward but I've only been here once before and got a bit left at the start.

"This horse travelled, he jumped and he stayed on. He tried his heart out.

"Bangor was a lovely prep, he came here fresh and the connections filled me with confidence."

Nicholls was delighted to gain his first win of the 2017 Festival and was full of praise for Frost's efforts in the plate.

He said: "Everyone always expects plenty this week, it's been an amazing week.

"Saphir Du Rheu in the Gold Cup (fifth) gave me an amazing buzz and for young Bryony to ride him like that is great.

"She's Jimmy's (Frost, Grand National winner) daughter and to give these young girls chances is great."

Nicholls added: "It was a huge relief to have a brilliant one-two and it must have given young Bryony an amazing buzz to give him a ride like that. I kept saying to myself that after his great effort last year he could win this, and Bryony has given the horse a wonderful ride.

"I told Andy (Stewart, owner) I wanted someone in the yard to ride him and that's what we did. Pacha will now go for the Aintree Fox Hunters' and along with Saphir, Wonderful Charm will go for the National."

Walsh said of Wonderful Charm: "I couldn't have kept any closer to the pace because he wasn't travelling, but he stayed on well up the hill."

Alex Edwards rode Barel Of Laughs and said: "He shows us a lot at home. He's run a blinder and I wasn't really surprised."