1st Willoughby Court 14/1
2nd Neon Wolf 2/1 fav
3rd Messire Des Obeaux 8/1
Race Report
David Bass, left in despair at the fall of Charbel at the second-last fence of the Arkle Chase on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival, produced a remarkable turn-around in fortunes when he repelled all challengers aboard 14/1 chance Willoughby Court.
Willoughby Court, trained locally by Ben Pauling, was sent straight to the front as the tapes went up and soon had his rivals nicely spread out.
Favourite Neon Wolf loomed up to throw down a challenge to the leader coming off the home turn and the pair settled down to fight it out in a thrilling final half-mile to the contest.
Having looked as if he might just be about to collar the leader, Neon Wolf wasn't quite as fluent at the final flight, stumbling slightly on landing and handing the advantage back to the leader as they crossed yards in front of the flight.
Getting tired, Willoughby Court then drifted back to the left once in front and was challenged again by the rallying runner-up, but he still gamely stuck his head out under Bass to hold on by a head.
It was a second Cheltenham Festival success for Bass, but a first for Pauling.
Messire Des Obeaux, who looked to have the perfect position behind the pair two out, kept on well for third place a further three and three-quarters back, with outsider Burbank flashing home for fourth.
The Irish contingent failed to get involved at the finish, but their leading hope Bacardys was all but put out of the race when hampered by the sixth-flight fatal fall of Consul De Thaix. Jockey Mark Walsh was stood down for the rest of the day from the effects of the fall.
Reaction
Ben Pauling: "It's special, we set out with a plan as we knew there was no other pace in the race and he was able to get into a lovely rhythm.
"I must admit that when I saw Neon Wolf looming I was worried but I was just hoping we could get him off the bridle and we did.
"It was an exceptional ride by David, along with Nico (De Boinville) I think he is excellent from the front, he's got a great clock in his head, it wasn't like he went 10 lengths clear.
"He was an impossible horse to train for two years as he was nervous and fractious but it's all come together, now.
"This means everything, I've had a fantastic start to my training career but Barters Hill getting beat last year was a real gut wrencher, this year we've come with no pressure.
"I thought he was way overpriced but I was worried the ground would be too fast.
"He won't go to Aintree and I'd be surprised if he ran again this season as he's had a hard race there.
"He'll definitely be going chasing next season, as you saw there his jumping is excellent and I'm sure he'll be electric over fences."
David Bass: "My horse drifted right and drifted left again. It's brilliant for Ben and his team.I'm so grateful to him and his owners to ride a nice horse like him.
"I thought I was always holding him (Neon Wolf).This lad stays well and it's fantastic for Ben, who is a really good trainer. He's very ambitious and he's built up a good team of staff around him."
Harry Fry: "Neon Wolf has run a great race and all credit to the winner, who has just pulled out more and more. I'm absolutely delighted with the run. We had a certain Rock On Ruby finish second, beaten a short head, in this race and he didn't do too bad.
"We would have liked to have won, but all credit to Ben Pauling and his team as it was a fantastic performance.
"He was second best on the day but he ran a good race. We will get home and look forward to having an exciting young horse on our hands.
"He got the trip no problem and was coming back at the end, but the winner kept pulling out a bit more.
"The owner is very keen on Punchestown, so we will have a look and see. The first thing is to make sure he comes out of this okay."
Alan King: "Messire Des Obeaux never missed a beat and I just thought the first two had a bit more toe than him. I'm thrilled to bits with him."
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