Copper comes good at the right time

The ex-Donal Coffey-trained Copper Bleu (12-1, from a fantastic family and winner of a point and a bumper for the Midleton, County Cork handler) won an eventful renewal of the Jewson Novices' Handicap Chase, the first race on day three of the Cheltenham Festival.

There were plenty of casualties throughout the two-mile-five-furlong contest, but Richard Johnson weaved his way through the field to lead at the final fence.

Philip Hobbs' eight-year-old, who was fourth in the Supreme Novices' last year, began to idle out in front which enabled Paddy Brennan to have another go on runner-up Othermix.

The pair crossed paths on the run-in, but Johnson showed his strength to galvanise his mount once more and score by three and a half lengths.

Willie Mullins' The Midnight Club ran on well for third, with the well-backed China Rock in fourth.

Johnson said: "He ran well here last year (fourth in the Supreme) and I always felt on that form he had a good chance today.

"The tongue-tie helped and I think the extra trip has also helped today.

"He was having a look around on the run-in but it's just fantastic to have a winner.

"It's a funny place when you are on your own. He wasn't stopping, he was just looking around."

Hobbs' wife, Sarah, said: "The horse is still very green but he jumped super and Richard gave him a great ride.

"I thought to have one winner (Menorah won the Supreme Novices' Hurdle on Tuesday) was great, but to have two is fantastic."

Philip Hobbs added: "He developed a breathing problem over the last couple of months so I tied his tongue down.

"The plan was to be handy, but Richard said he was flat-out all of the way.

"He also got lucky avoiding any trouble going down the inner.

"We'll probably go to Punchestown, where he won last year, for a two-mile-five-furlong novice handicap chase."