Blaklion roars for Hatch in RSA Chase

Blaklion stayed on commendably up the hill to take the honours in the RSA Chase at Cheltenham.

Produced by Ryan Hatch in a wide-open race, the Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained Blaklion (8-1) put in a tenacious effort to come out on top.

The winner and Shaneshill battled it out in the closing stages, with the former prevailing by half a length. More Of That was third, another eight lengths in arrears.

Hatch, claiming a second Festival victory, said: "He's not very big, but he can jump. He was absolutely super - he travelled all the way. He had a bit of boot at the end and passed them all.

"He's such a legend, he's as hard as nails. He's a very good horse and I just steered him, really."

Twiston-Davies said: "It's fantastic. Nobody expected him to win, but he's always been a great horse.

"We were so gutted (on Tuesday) and I was miserable as The New One (fourth in Champion Hurdle) isn't quite as good as he used to be, but we've got another (good) one."