'I was happy with that' - Henderson hotpot back on course for festival

Last year's Supreme Novices' Hurdle third Chantry House put himself back on track for a return to the festival with a ready novice chase success.

He earned quotes ranging from 10-1 to 16-1 for the Marsh Novices' Chase after a three-and-a-quarter-length defeat of Coconut Splash under Nico de Boinville.

JP McManus's seven-year-old won well from one other finisher at Ascot in November, only to be let down by his jumping when well beaten at Cheltenham the following month.

"I was happy with that," De Boinville said. "He's put Cheltenham behind him there. The most important thing was to get him back on track after that and I think he's done that.

Nico de Boinville: 'He's put Cheltenham behind him'Credit: Michael Steele (Getty Images)

"He jumped well despite the ground, you couldn't really be asking for too many big jumps because you wouldn't last home but his jumping was very measured today."

Members: Read Nicky Henderson's Cheltenham stable tour

Classy sort for Kerry Lee

Once a media employee and always on the lookout for a good line, former Channel 4 graphics expert Kerry Lee could not resist doing the media's job after Ballybegg defied a penalty in the novice hurdle.

The trainer said: "I know your headline: 'Ballybegg for the Ballymore!'

"We'll have to seriously consider it, as long as there's some cut in the surface. He really enjoyed this soft ground."

Last month's Hereford winner is a best-priced 66-1 for the novice hurdle on the second day of the festival but Lee said: "He's a chaser in the making but I've been in the job long enough now to know that when you have an opportunity you should take it.

"You don't get many horses that you can consider running in a Grade 1 and when you do and they've won like that – and the handicapper has his say – why not?"

Lee, who was saddling her 100th winner in Britain, could have three runners at the festival next month.

"I have Storm Control for the Kim Muir or the Ultima and Happy Diva for the two-and-a-half-mile handicap or the mares' race plus this chap," she said. "I've only got 20 horses to run so that's not bad, is it?"

Ballybegg is set for the Cheltenham festivalCredit: Pool

Umbrigado in festival picture

Umbrigado is quoted at 14-1 for the Paddy Power Plate by the sponsors, who make him a 16-1 chance for the Grand Annual after he beat seasoned chasers off top weight in the 1m7f handicap.

"We always thought he'd make into a nice chaser and he's beginning to do that," said Tom Scudamore, who rode the winner for David Pipe.

"He's going the right way. That was only his third run over fences, he'll improve for more experience."

'You've got to have the horse'

Nightboattoclyro gave Sam Drinkwater the eighth winner of an already personal-best season when completing a hat-trick in the 2m3f hurdle.

"We've had a good season and we've got one or two nicer horses now," said the trainer.

"It's the same as when I was a jockey – you've got to have the horse!"

Jonathan England was banned for 11 days for his use of the whip on Billy Ray, runner-up to Embole in the other 2m3f hurdle.

Pressure Sensitive remains unbeaten

Pressure Sensitive took his record to two wins from two starts in the 2m bumper to set up a possible tilt at Aintree's Grand National meeting in April.

"He's a grand horse and did that nice and sweet," said winning trainer Jonjo O'Neill. "I'm delighted for Danny Walker, who owns the horse with his mum Linda. He's the first horse they've owned and hopefully they've got a nice one.

"He's still a baby and quite excitable but we might have a look at the Aintree bumper. He's already schooled and we're looking forward to going hurdling next season."

Replays, results and analysis

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