Bensalem overcomes last year's exit

Bensalem avenged his luckless defeat of 12 months ago with victory in a thrilling Stewart Family Spinal Research Handicap Chase at Cheltenham today, denying runner-up Carole's Legacy's rider Barry Geraghty for the third time today.

Bensalem was travelling powerfully when falling two fences from home in last year's renewal of the competitive handicap but made no mistake this time around.

There were only four in with a chance turning for home and the fall of the front-running Great Endeavour meant just three were left in contention.

Bensalem engaged in a titanic tussle with Carole's Legacy after the final fence and it was the former who emerged triumphant.

Carole's Legacy's jockey Barry Geraghty was filling the runner-up spot for the third time in the opening three races of this year's Festival.

Reve De Sivola was third with Fair Along a long way further back in fourth.