'Freddie's mum would've been super proud' - emotional win for team Tizzard as Freddie Gingell and Elixir De Nutz deny 1-4 Jonbon

Elixir De Nutz (right) runs on from the last fence and beats Jonbon in the Clarence House ChaseCredit: Edward Whitaker

5 ran

14:25 CheltenhamChase Turf, Grade 1

Distance: 2m ½fClass: 1

1st
2Elixir De Nutz
22/1
2nd
4Jonbon
fav1/4
3rd
3Fugitif
10/1

What the rearranged Clarence House Chase lacked in runners it made up for with drama and there was a fairytale ending to the story thanks to Elixir De Nutz and his 18-year-old rider Freddie Gingell.

Headlines were set to be hogged by Jonbon, the 1-4 favourite and Britain's top two-miler chaser, who faced four inferior-rated rivals in a race that had been due to be staged at Ascot seven days previously.

The frost meant it did not take place and the switch to Cheltenham resulted in El Fabiolo – favourite for the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase and Jonbon's main opponent in the division – swerving the Clarence House, which was sponsored by My Pension Expert and worth £105,000.

The biggest chunk of that prize fund went to the Terry Warner-owned Elixir De Nutz, who is trained in Dorset by Joe Tizzard.

He went off a 22-1 chance and had a neck to spare at the line over Jonbon, who made a bad mistake four out and nearly unseated James Bowen.

An error like that may have been the end of things for most horses, but Jonbon possesses plenty of ability and was nursed back into contention by the acrobatic Bowen, leading two out before being held late on by the rallying grey.

Freddie Gingell and owner Terry Warner with Elixir De Nutz after the Clarence House ChaseCredit: Edward Whitaker

Successful in Exeter's Haldon Gold Cup under Gingell in November, Elixir De Nutz then won at Newbury before finishing third in the Desert Orchid at Kempton last time out, and this was undoubtedly a shock success albeit a most welcome one.

Tizzard, who took over the training licence from his father Colin two years ago, was full of praise for his nephew Gingell, whose mother Kim was a big part of the operation until her death in 2020.

Balancing his emotions, the trainer, who was registering his first Grade 1 victory, said: "Freddie held his nerve well and didn't go for the stick too soon.

"It's our first Grade 1 and Fred's first Grade 1, it's Cheltenham and his mum would be super proud of him. I read a lovely article he did recently and he always speaks so well when he talks about Kim. It's a special day.

"I didn't come here thinking we'd win, but we were happy to take our chance as the horse has been brilliant all season. He bounces off this ground, so the drying week helped, but I thought Jonbon had us beat until we outjumped him at the last.

"It was our day today. I didn't think I had a Grade 1 horse at the start of the season, but I've bagged one."

Jonbon and Elixir De Nutz jump the last togetherCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Tizzard had been a jockey of note during his riding career, so is well placed to assess Gingell, adding: "He's the right size and very good over a fence. Days like this don't faze him one bit – I need to wake him up on Mondays and Tuesdays. I'm bloody biased, but I'm very proud.

"Being here does stir the emotions, and it's lovely. Terry has been a big supporter and Dad will be watching at home and will have got a big kick out of that too."

Elixir De Nutz's price for the Champion Chase ranges from 14-1 to 33-1, while Jonbon is as big as 9-2 with bet365.

"He didn't see a nice stride at the last and if he'd have winged that he might not have let the other horse back," said trainer Nicky Henderson. "He's lost the battle but not the war.

"He's quite a busy person, he lives on his wits a little and the extra wait from Ascot wasn't exactly what he wanted. He's a clock that you can wind up, now we can unwind him and go again.

"We were really looking forward to El Fabiolo last weekend and I don't think that's changed anything dramatically. We've got to let him off for a little bit and start the preparation for March."