Fondmort Cements Cheltenham Love Affair

Fondmort once again reserved his best for his favourite track when he produced his finest performance to lift the Ryanair Chase on the third day of the Cheltenham Festival.

With his one-and-a-quarter-length call over Lacdoudal, Nicky Henderson's 10-year-old was making amends having been beaten half a length by Thisthatandtother 12 months ago.

It was Fondmort's fourth valuable success at the Prestbury Park circuit following his wins in the Paddy Power and Tripleprint Gold Cups and the Unicoin Chase.

And it was his ever-reliable jumping which once again stood him in good stead as he powered up the hill for Mick Fitzgerald to beat Lacdoudal with Impek just a head back in third.

Fondmort was given a hero's reception on his return to the winner's circle and an emotional Henderson said: 'He's very special isn't he?

'I don't know why horses like places or doing things but we all know this horse just loves this place.

'Mick said he was tired up the hill but he had done them by then with his jumping and his pace.

'He was just beaten in the race last year so he's got his just rewards ? he deserved it.

'He's won his Paddy Power, his Tripleprint and god knows what else but he deserved a Festival win.

'Running at this place is his home game.'

Afterwards Fondmort was quoted at prices ranging from 25-1 to 40-1 for the John Smith's Grand National but when asked about Aintree, Fitzgerald said: 'He didn't stay last year and in my opinion it's a pointless exercise.

'If they had a National over two-five then that would be different.'

Henderson and Fitzgerald completed a 64-1 double with Non So in the Racing Post Plate.

Stablemate Saintsaire made a brave attempt to make all the running but he had been headed by Non So (14-1) when he took a crashing fall at the final fence.

A brilliant leap at the last sealed victory for Non So who went on to score by nine lengths from Kelrev, with Graphic Approach nine lengths back in third.

'In fairness this horse deserves one. He fell at Windsor when the race was in the bag and then coming down the hill here last season,' said Henderson.

James Fanshawe was a relieved man after Reveillez gave him a first Festival win for four years when landing a gamble in the Jewson Novices' Handicap Chase at Cheltenham.

The Newmarket trainer, better known for his horses on the Flat, has a team of just four over jumps but Reveillez did him proud and also provided a tonic for owner and legendary gambler JP McManus.

Given a superb ride by Tony McCoy, the 9-2 favourite was always handy as Demi Beau and Kasthari set the pace before leading at the second-last.

He then ran on strongly to hold Copsale Lad by a length and a quarter with Irish Grand National possible Tumbling Dice nine lengths away in third.

'We had one die on Tuesday which was awful and both mine ran badly in the Coral Cup on Wednesday but I always thought this horse would improve for the better ground,' said Fanshawe.

McCoy, who won the Champion Hurdle on Brave Inca, was pleased to have ridden a winner for his boss, McManus.

'That's what I wanted more than anything else. I've won the Champion Hurdle but I came here wanting to ride a winner for JP,' he said.

McManus played up his winnings from the first race by being one of the few punters to take a chance with 50-1 shot Kadoun in the Pertemps Final Handicap Hurdle.

However, McManus had 'mixed feelings' as one of his other runners in the race, Olaso suffered a fatal injury.

Trainer Ferdy Murphy and amateur rider Richard Harding enjoyed their second winner of the meeting when Hot Weld gamely saw off Beantown's late charge to win the Letheby & Christopher National Hunt Chase.

? PA Sport