McGrath's last-minute plan change works a treat as Beware The Bear lands Ultima

It will not pass me by this time. That was the message Jerry McGrath delivered after recording his second Cheltenham Festival success aboard Beware The Bear, seven long years after opening his account with Une Artiste in the Fred Winter.

An inexperienced 5lb claimer when winning on Une Artiste, who like Beware The Bear was trained by Nicky Henderson, the ride McGrath produced in the Ultima Handicap Chase on Tuesday was top drawer.

What appeared to be a long thought out masterclass in waiting tactics was soon to be revealed as a last-minute change of plan, influenced by the man who has been a constant in McGrath’s career.

“It’s very funny because before the race I had it in my head I was going to do what I did on New Year’s Day – pop out, make the running and keep it simple,” the rider said.

“But Mr Henderson took the saddle off me and said drop in, creep away and keep him wide. It's one of those that if he said it to me this morning, I would have overthought it, but the fact he told me just before the race meant I just went out and did it.”

Delivering his challenge between the last two aboard George Barlow's pride and joy, McGrath put a couple of lengths between himself and a pair of Trevor Hemmings-owned greys – Vintage Clouds and Lake View Lad – but the margin was ever-diminishing the closer they got to the line.

Ultimately the duo had just a length and a quarter to spare, with the rider promising this festival success would be savoured.

McGrath said: “The blinkers made a big difference. Even though we gave away ground on the outside, he jumped and travelled everywhere.

“I didn’t realise it had been seven years since my first win on Une Artist in the Fred Winter. It's a typical story in that you probably take it for granted. God, I'll enjoy this one.”

He added: “You don’t appreciate having a winner here the first time. You think it's going to happen every year, or every second year, but it’s so hard to get rides at Cheltenham, never mind winners. I'm thankful for the great team I have around me.”

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