Plumpton: 'It was a super ride' - winning trainer full of praise for Nick Scholfield

Paul Henderson was denied a first winner of the season in agonising fashion on Sunday but the trainer did not have to wait long to secure a breakthrough success as Shaw’s Cross took the 2m1f novice handicap chase under a superbly timed Nick Scholfield ride.

Henderson’s Our Champ was beaten a neck at Fontwell on Sunday but less than 24 hours later, the Hampshire-based handler was on the right end of a thrilling finish as Shaw’s Cross, who was third turning for home and jumping the final two fences, got up by a length from the long-time leading pair of Doyannie and Hector Jaguen.

Nick Scholfield waits patiently on Shaw's Cross (far left) who has only one rival behind him for much of the early stages

Shaw's Cross and Scholfield jump into third at the third-last fence

Doyannie and Hector Jaguen are still well clear of Shaw's Cross turning for home

Shaw's Cross begins to close on the leading pair at the second-last fence

Shaw's Cross begins to get up after the final fence as the leading pair tire

Shaw's Cross wins by a length from Doyannie

“It was a super ride,” said Henderson of Scholfield, who was recording a second winner since returning from an ankle injury this month. “Nick never panicked. I was thinking, I know I told him to hold him up but there was a time I wanted him to get going, but Nick was never bothered. He said he was going pretty much as quick as he’d like to and thought they were going too fast and sure enough they stopped in front of him."

Shaw’s Cross had been second on four occasions before this first chase success with his seconditis shared by the 11-year-old’s trainer, who was in the winner’s enclosure for the first time since Storm Hill struck at this venue last February. On his lean spell, Henderson added: “On Sunday we got pipped on the line. The horses have been running well, they just haven’t been winning!”

Jerrash: completed a treble for Jamie and Gary MooreCredit: Bryn Lennon

More joy for Moores

Gary Moore was not at Cheltenham on Saturday to witness Editeur Du Gite’s shock Grade 1 Clarence House Chase triumph, but it was business as usual for the trainer at his local track as he watched son Jamie help Hermino AA and Poncho get off the mark over hurdles before Jerrash, last seen contesting the Grade 3 EBF Final at Sandown, made a winning comeback in the feature 3m1f handicap hurdle.

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