Ultima Handicap Chase report: Un Temps Pour Tout wins

2.50 Cheltenham result

1st Un Temps Pour Tout (9/1)
2nd Singlefarmpayment (5/1 favourite)
3rd Noble Endeavour (15/2)
4th Buywise (33/1)
5th Go Conquer (20/1)
6th The Young Master (25/1)

Race Report

Un Temps Pour Tout (9/1) defied top weight to beat Singlefarmpayment in a photo finish for the Ultima Handicap Chase.

David Pipe's horse won the race in 2016 and returned to defy a 7lb higher mark under Tom Scudamore's all-out drive, in the process denying Singlefarmpayment (5/1 favourite) on the nod.

Pace-setter Go Conquer jumped well out in front under a bold Aidan Coleman ride, but was there to be shot at turning in and it was Singlefarmpayment who appeared to be going best on the inside.

However, Scudamore had been prominent out wide throughout the contest and while half a length down jumping the last, his mount answered every question to nose ahead where it mattered most.

Noble Endeavour tracked Singlefarmpayment as the race began to unfold but couldn't keep tabs on the leading pair, eventually finishing third, while the enigmatic Buywise denied Go Conquer in the distant battle for fourth.

Reaction

David Pipe: "I'm absolutely thrilled and Tom has given him an amazing ride. It was a great performance from the horse under top weight and it was a tougher race than last year, I thought.

"He found a lot under pressure, he's not very big but he finds a lot and he's a good horse on a going day.

"We fancied him in the Hennessy and he didn't perform that day. You could tell from an early stage he was going to run a big race. He's very gutsy. He's some horse."

Tom Scudamore: "Pipe's a genius, nothing more needs to be said.

"He's a different horse in the spring and he loves the hill. I knew halfway up the run-in I'd win, he's so tough. I'm so pleased for everyone.

"Some days he just doesn't fancy it. In the Hennessy he ran no sort of a race at all but you know the ability is there as he's a French Champion Hurdle winner.

"I wish I could ask him - he's a funny horse, for sure.

"I don't see why one day he couldn't be a National horse, but this year we've got Vieux Lion Rouge. One day he'll be in a National of sorts, I'm sure."

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