'We'd like to be back here in March' - Bailey aims high with Happygolucky

Kim Bailey is already plotting a route back to Cheltenham with exciting chasing prospect Happygolucky with an eye on a big festival prize following the six-year-old's dominant victory in the 3m1f novice chase on Friday.

The 13-8 favourite was fourth in the Martin Pipe at the March spectacular last season but could be facing a completely different test with the National Hunt Chase his most likely long-term target.

Unibet cut him to 16-1 (from 25) for that event after Happygolucky and David Bass galloped clear of his four rivals in authoritative fashion, eventually seeing off nearest challenger The Mighty Don by three and three-quarter lengths.

"I'm very pleased," said Bailey after making it three from six at Cheltenham this season. "He jumped really well, he's a proper trainer's horse as he's not overly big and is an athletic individual. He got there far too soon and got lonely in front.

Happygolucky is greeted by a smattering of spectators as he enters the winner's enclosureCredit: Edward Whitaker

"We'd certainly like to be back here in March, but in what race I don't know. He'll stay as long as he wants but like a lot of things it'll depend on the ground. The RSA has a lot of very good horses around and we're not quite in that league yet. He's happier left-handed so we've got some nice options for him [before]."

Make Me A Believer looked another smart type after his victory in the 2m1f novice hurdle, although David Pipe believes his big targets could be saved for the future when sent chasing.

Cheltenham firsts

7lb claimer Ben Harvey was given an 11-day whip ban and a £400 fine by the stewards after his winning ride on Some Neck in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase.

Harvey was deemed to have used the whip above the permitted level in the closing stages of the race, where his mount bravely reeled in long-time leader Defi Des Carres to score by a short-head.

Some Neck: narrow winner of the Cross Country in NovemberCredit: Edward Whitaker

Recording his first winner from his first ride in Britain, Harvey said: "It's the ultimate to win a cross-country race around here. I had a willing partner underneath me which always helps. I thought [coming down the straight] I was going to have to settle for second to be honest but he just kept finding for me."

The Grade 3 Unibet Handicap Chase was another which treated racegoers to a dramatic finish with Storm Control almost throwing away victory before rallying gamely.

The Kerry Lee-trained seven-year-old saw a two-length advantage from the last diminish when idling badly in front with Potters Legend and the well-backed Court Maid closing in, but a determined Richard Patrick was able to squeeze out enough to hold off his challengers.

33rd time lucky

Alan Johns broke his Cheltenham duck on the 33rd attempt as he partnered Madera Mist to victory in the 2m4½f mares' handicap chase.

The Tim Vaughan-trained runner was scoring off a rating of 95 making her the lowest-rated winner at Cheltenham in the last 14 years. but there could be more to come from the five-and-a-half-length winner, who scored at odds of 33-1.

Madera Mist: scored off a mark of 95Credit: Edward Whitaker

"It's been a long road but I'm delighted – that's job done now," said Johns. "She was out the handicap but we've always thought she'd be a 110 to 115 [rated] horse. We'd been making the running with her but she'd almost been doing too much. She's had a wind op too.

Of his Cheltenham first, he added: "We all want to win here, it doesn't matter if it's empty or full – all we want to do is have winners here."

Tom Buckley also recorded his first Cheltenham winner on the Johnny Farrelly-trained Breffniboy in the 2m½f handicap hurdle.

Full results, replays and analysis

Ultimate Daily – our daily newsletters from Racing Post's experts, exclusive to the inbox of Ultimate Members' Club subscribers. To receive the newsletter subscribe at racingpost.com/members-club