Cheltenham Festival result, report and free video replay: Politologue wins Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase
Politologue ran and jumped his rivals into the ground to win the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase as red-hot favourite Defi Du Seuil fluffed his lines.
Runner-up in the race last year, the grey evoked memories of One Man as he carried the John Hales silks to victory under Harry Skelton, who was picking up a choice spare ride.
The pair were clear turning in and it soon became apparent that Defi Du Seuil, sent off at 2/5 in the absence of Altior and Chacun Pour Soi, was never going to land a blow.
Dynamite Dollars, like the winner trained by Paul Nicholls, rallied up the hill to claim second but the winner had gone beyond recall. The winning distance was nine-and-a-half lengths.
Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase result
- Politologue 6/1
- Dynamite Dollars 7/1
Nicholls said on Racing TV: "It just shows bringing him fresh in here like that. When they're fresh and well they're brilliant. I thought Sam (Twiston-Davies) might ride him but John wanted Harry. Dynamite Dollars will win plenty more races over longer distances. I was thrilled with Politologue though, he was jumping so well for Harry right from the start."
Skelton was delighted to have won at his first attempt in the Queen Mother, especially for Hales and Nicholls.
"It's my first ride in the Champion Chase," said the winning jockey, who spent his early years at Nicholls' yard along with his brother Dan - a highly successful trainer in his own right these days.
"I owe so much to the Hales family. They've known me since I was a little kid. Pat (Mrs Hales) used to take me round all the shows. What more can I say for Paul (Nicholls)?
"I grafted there for a long time, me and Dan. We will be forever grateful for what he has done for our careers. He told me at the start of the season to come back and ride a little bit. This is magic. He has trained him to perfection. This is what he can do.
Politologue's victory was a third in the race for owner Hales.
He said: "That was brilliant. We dictated it from start to finish. Tactically, Harry got it absolutely right. In his previous race we thought they'd gone too slow, so I said 'make your own pace'.
"If that means going on from the start run the finish out of them - and that's what he did. I've over the moon - my third Queen Mother."
Of the beaten favourite, trainer Philip Hobbs said: "I've no idea what happened really. He has been great all season and won his three races. We thought he came here in very good form, as everything had gone well with him at home, then that happens, and at this stage we have no idea what happened.
"Even before three out he wasn't happy with him. Obviously we will get him back home and check him over. We will have a look at things at the next week then decide what to do. It is too early to say if his season is over."
Geraghty said: "He was never really going. I was trying to nurse him into it, but I knew from the back of the third-last that the game was up. Full credit to the winner and he was the last horse that Defi passed here in November. He got his day and it was well justified.
"He (Defi Du Seuil) has (dominated the division all season), but he is fine and healthy and he is OK. For no obvious reason he didn't perform, but he will have other days. He is still a gorgeous horse and I'm sure there is plenty more fun to be had with him."