Native River is magnificent again as the white-faced warrior dazzles at Sandown

This roof has been metaphorically raised so often but this time it came off its rafters in near silence thanks to Native River, who behind closed doors, in gruelling ground and against high-class opponents produced the sort of wonderfully willing display that has for decades sent decibels soaring at Sandown.

The hero of one of jumping's most memorable duels when triumphant in the 2018 Cheltenham Gold Cup will seek to regain his crown with hopes justifiably high after displaying all his trademark qualities in a heartwarming Cotswold Chase triumph.

Had the race survived the weather it would have been staged at Cheltenham last week, yet that would have denied us the chance to see the perfect partnership of Native River and Richard Johnson for the first time conquering one of the steeplechasing's signature tracks.

Native River: jumps the second last in front in the Cotswold ChaseCredit: Edward Whitaker

It is a nature of Sandown's programme that Gold Cup contenders now rarely pay it a visit, but the rescheduling of the Virgin Bet-backed Cotswold delivered a thoroughly splendid Sandown spectacle, with Native River leading home Bristol De Mai and Santini for a fantastic victory.

Colin Tizzard had endured a 44-day winless run until enjoying an overdue success on Thursday, yet he and his family have been forced to endure much worse. The trainer's daughter, Kim Gingell, died tragically young in May, but she was remembered and recognised after the horse she helped to make provided extremely welcome cheer.

"That was just what we wanted," said assistant trainer Joe Tizzard. "We knew we had him in good form, but he's not getting any younger, is he? Even so, I think he'll still be competitive in the Gold Cup if he gets a bit of soft ground. I'm chuffed to bits with him. He's such a quality horse."

Watch the Cotswold Chase replay

Both Native River and the Bryony Frost-ridden Yala Enki set off as though contesting a Tingle Creek or even an Eclipse, but as the contest developed it was the old white-faced warrior who began to dominate, jumping and galloping with glee to ultimately win with authority.

"I didn't want to take on Bryony too early but down the back straight second time he was almost wanting me to ask him to do a bit more," said Johnson.

"A real hard slog around here was right up his street and it was great to see him do it again. He hasn't lost any of his enthusiasm, that's for sure."

That fighting spirit will next be witnessed in the Gold Cup, a race in which Garth and Anne Broom's veteran has finished first, third and fourth. He is now a best-priced 16-1 and sure to be shorter if rain keeps falling. This moment in itself, however, was reason to celebrate.

"People questioned if he could go right-handed but, if anything, this place is made for him," said Tizzard. "As he has got older he has perhaps lost half a gear, so the soft ground helps him, too. We know he stays really well and when he gets his conditions he still takes a lot of pegging back.

"There are not many tougher than this horse. He is our main flagbearer and has done nothing wrong for five years. He just keeps producing. He is a good boy."

Yet Tizzard could not be bullish about that boy boosting the team's morale.

"The way things have been for the last six weeks to two months, I was never that confident," he admitted.

"When the horses aren't quite performing, it leaves its mark. From being a quite positive person you start doubting everything. We've been telling the owners for a few weeks that the horses have been coming right but you need it to happen. We needed a bit of luck."

They also needed a bit of Native River. Heck, this dose of Native River did us all the power of good. He now goes for Gold – and his legion of fans, even if only in spirit, are sure to go with him.

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