Josh The Boss provides 'slight tonic' to Twiston-Davies team in Silver Trophy after loss of stablemate Cuthbert Dibble

Josh The Boss provided Nigel Twiston-Davies’s team with a “slight tonic” when winning the Wasdell Group Silver Trophy Handicap Hurdle – just over half an hour after the stable lost talented chase debutant Cuthbert Dibble.

Amateur Jamie Neild gave the five-year-old, owned by the jockey’s father John, an accomplished ride to score by four lengths in the £75,000 feature.

It was a fourth Silver Trophy success for Twiston-Davies and an emotional one after Cuthbert Dibble, regarded as one of the stable’s most exciting prospects, suffered a fatal injury in the Listed novice chase.

Willy Twiston-Davies, assistant to his father, said: “It was horrendous watching that happen to Cuthbert Dibble, and I’m very sorry for his owners Graham and Alison [Jelley]. Winning the Silver Trophy is a slight tonic for the stable, but we’ll still be missing him tomorrow morning.

“It was very insulting to see Josh The Boss priced up initially at 33-1, but a few people saw sense. He looked very well handicapped so we targeted this. He could go chasing, but we’ll see. He’s very talented on his day, jumps brilliantly and gets on really well with Jamie.”

Fitting winner

Brocade Racing's Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Native River featured in the race title for the 2m7½f handicap chase and the owners were presented with their own trophy after Neon Moon struck under Jack Tudor.

The David Pipe-trained eight-year-old was successful from 4lb out of the handicap, with Native River, who is in the care of bloodstock agent Tom Malone, looking in tremendous condition when paraded before the race.

Neon Moon: poignant winner at ChepstowCredit: Steve Davies

Garth Broom, whose runners with wife Anne run under the Brocade banner, said: "It's lovely to win this race. I'm astounded as he was 4lb out of the handicap, but David did the same with another winner [Lock Out] on Friday."

Springwell stars

Springwell Bay made a successful chasing debut in the 2m3½f Listed novice event for Jonjo and AJ O’Neill.

The Gay Smith-owned seven-year-old sealed a length-and-a-quarter victory under Jonjo O’Neill Jr, who won the 2m juvenile hurdle on the Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero-trained My Noble Lord.

Jonjo O’Neill said: "Springwell Bay jumped cleverly and should come on for that. He loves racing and is an enthusiastic type. It was a nice race on paper and very unfortunate for Nigel and his team to lose Cuthbert Dibble.”

Double bubble

Owners Tim Syder and Dominic Burke enjoyed a winner on both days of the meeting after the Alan King-trained Grandeur D’Ame landed the 2m3½f handicap chase.

Tom Bellamy’s mount jumped well on his way to a two-length success. The owners were successful on day one with the Harry Derham-trained Washington.

Grandeur D’Ame: winner at Chepstow for Alan KingCredit: Steve Davies

Syder said: “He jumped brilliantly and has a very good record fresh. It’s been a great two days. It’s a meeting I always enjoy and the sport should make a big thing out of it being extended to three days next year.”

Course breakthrough

Harriet Dickin trained her first course winner when the Sam Twiston-Davies-ridden Dodger Long landed the 2m handicap hurdle for four-year-olds.

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