Cheltenham New Year's Day review: Amended result in opening race of year

Alcazar gets race in Stewards' room

Protektorat was first past the post in Cheltenham's Ballymore Novices' Hurdle, but lost the race to Imperial Alcazar following a Stewards' Enquiry.

Dan Skelton's easy-to-back 15/2 chance Protektorat was travelling and jumping noticeably well from an early stage in the two and a half mile Listed contest and he was produced by the trainer's brother, Harry, to take it up at the last.

Imperial Alcazar (3/1), who was brought widest of all on the downhill run to the home bend, stuck to his task admirably under Paddy Brennan and, after switching to the centre of the track as the winner drifted right across him to the stands' side rail, went down by just a head in a photo finish.

The Cheltenham stewards deemed the interference to be of sufficient importance to overturn the result and place Protektorat second.

There was a six and a half length gap back to the third, Welsh Saint (11/4), while 9/1 shot Ofalltheginjoints shaped quite well in fourth for Colin Tizzard.

The major disappointment was 2/1 favourite Redford Road, who weakened up the final climb after cutting out much of the running. Outsider Grand Mogul never looked happy after getting unsettled at the start and was a distant last of the six runners.

O'Brien said: "I was delighted with the way the horse ran, and I'm not going to focus on the stewards' inquiry. I love the way he jumped the last. He put his head down -he had to go around him and go and battle, but that is the way it is.

"We might try to get a Pertemps qualifier along the way, and go for that. We've a long way to go, though, and we will enjoy today."

John Hales, part owner of the Dan Skelton-trained runner-up, indicated a plan to appeal against the result - describing the decision as the strangest he had ever seen.

Hales said: "Paddy never had to stop riding (on Imperial Alcazar). He never slowed down. He was never handicapped in any way as a result of what happened.

"Had he been, fair enough - but he wasn't and galloped all the way from the last hurdle to the finish line. If that cross hadn't have happened, the result would have been the same. We will probably appeal (against) that.

"That is the strangest one I've experienced since I've been in racing."

Doing Fine lives up to name

Doing Fine (11/2) relished the Markel Insurance Handicap Chase turning into a true test as he stayed on best of all to take top spot from a rallying 4/1 chance Cogry, who was up with the pace throughout.

The Neil Mulholland-trained winner was heavily involved in the infamous void race at Sandown recently and gained ample compensation under 7lb claiming jockey Philip Donovan, who was among the seven jockeys to have their suspensions overturned after the Esher incident.

The 12-year-old came between rivals approaching the final fence and although far from fluent there, got away well enough to power up the hill and win by a comfortable four and three quarter lengths.

Like The Sound (33/1) was third with Militarian fourth at 16/1 having made several costly mistake along the way in the race run over the Cheltenham Gold Cup trip.

Mulholland said: "I've heard the word justice about 10 times in the last two minutes - it's a very popular word.

"It is great for the horse and the Neil Mulholland Racing Club - and particularly good for Philip Donovan, who is attached to the yard as a 7lb claimer.

"He is a good lad and he deserved that. He took it again today, which is great. This horse is 12, and he gets a good tune out of him.

"He is a horse that is in good form - he is in the right frame of mind and is jumping well and seems to be in a good place.

"I think he will be better on better ground. He finished fourth in the Scottish National before - and if he could scrape into that, there is a chance he could go back for that."

The Audacity of it!

Not long after stable star Emitom's disappointing effort in the Relkeel Hurdle, trainer Warren Greatrex was given a timely fillip as Audacity won the EBF Stallions & Cheltenham Pony Club (Listed Standard Open NH Flat Race) under a fine, front-running Gavin Sheehan ride.

The quietly-backed 16/1 shot barely saw another rival and stuck his neck out willingly in the final furlong to repel late challengers Ocean Wind (9/1) and French challenger Genola (8/1).

Greatrex said of the winner: "He has run a bit green the last twice and we thought it might be because of the horses around him, so we thought we would buck him out the gate and let him roll.

"I don't care what anyone says, he (Sheehan) is the best rider in a bumper from the front. He is head and shoulders above everybody. From turning in, it was going to take a good one to pass him."

Gamble landed for Murphy

Skandiburg lifted the spirits of owner Andrew Brooks when securing a tenacious success in the Paddy Power 69 Sleeps To Cheltenham Handicap Hurdle.

Saint Calvados was beaten a nose in the Grade Three chase in Brooks' colours, but the Olly Murphy-trained Skandiburg ensured the owner did not go home empty handed.

Brooks said: "The lows are profound and the highs, you just take them when they are here as you don't get them very often, so enjoy every moment.

"He went on and off the bridle the whole way round, but I knew he would stay up the hill so I'm absolutely delighted."

The Pertemps Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival is next on the agenda for Skandiburg, who initiated a double for rider Gavin Sheehan, according to winning trainer Olly Murphy.

He added: "He never travelled from the word go and in fairness to Gavin, he kept nudging and urging along and never went for his stick - he was a good winner in the end.

"I will freshen him up now and I would say he won't be far away with a clear run round. He is a horse that will thrive in a big-runner handicap."

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