Wishfull Thinking back at Cheltenham

Wishfull Thinking rolled back the years at Cheltenham by landing the freebets.com Trophy Chase he last won three years ago.

Sent off at 9-1 against 3-1 favourite Double Ross, who was seeking a Cheltenham Grade Three hat-trick, the veteran showed his old sparkle under in-form Richard Johnson to edge Sam Twiston-Davies' mount on the run-in for victory by a length and three-quarters.

Johnson said: "This ground isn't ideal for his wind but they've done a good job at home to get him relaxed. The horses are in great form and making my job a lot easier. When we set off up the run-in he's really battled today. We were giving Double Ross weight and I thought that might tell in the last 100 yards, but he stuck at it really well."

Trainer Philip Hobbs added: "It's amazing, he's 11 and we still really don't know if he's a two- or three-miler. I suppose it's back to conditions races now. Aintree is ideal, while there's still the place money in the Champion Chase and the handicaps here to consider."

Donald McCain's Indian Castle struck at 14-1 in the Timeform Novices' Handicap Chase.

Feltham hero Annacotty set off at the head of affairs and still had a narrow advantage under top weight approaching the last, but he was unable to quite hold on, with Indian Castle doing just enough on the run-in to get home a length and three-quarters in front.

McCain said: "I was disappointed he didn't finish his race off the last day at Wetherby, but he looked a different horse today. I know the owners would be keen to come back for the Festival, maybe for the novices' handicap or something, I don't know."

Trainer Martin Keighley was delighted with gallant effort of Annacotty, and will now prepare him for a return to Cheltenham in March.

He said: "He's a relentless galloper and I'm over the moon with the run. I said to Ian (Popham) which race (at the Festival) and he said if it's like this and heavy, then the two-and-a-half-mile novice (JLT), or if it's good ground run in the RSA. We'll get him nice and fresh and well, and ready for back here. He's only a six-year-old and there's lots to look forward to."