Native River back with a win

Native River made a successful return from almost a year on the sidelines with an impressive display in the Betfair Denman Chase at Newbury.

Colin Tizzard's charge won the Hennessy Gold Cup, the Welsh Grand National and this Grade Two prize last season and despite having been off the track since finishing third in the Cheltenham Gold Cup last March, he was a well-backed 8-11 favourite.

The eight-year-old soon adopted his customary pacesetting role in the hands of Richard Johnson, with his two opponents Saphir Du Rheu and Cloudy Dream content to bide their time.

Johnson began to wind up the gallop on leaving the back straight and the race-fit Cloudy Dream loomed up looking a big threat after straightening up for home.

His effort was short-lived, however, and Native River's superior stamina shone through between the final two fences as he powered clear to score in comfortable style.

Cloudy Dream was second, with Saphir Du Rheu last of the three on his first start since falling in the Grand National last April.

Johnson told ITV Racing: "It was the perfect comeback for him. It was only a small injury he had, but the owners were fantastic and the Tizzards have given him a nice, slow comeback.

"It was a bit of a cat-and-mouse race today and I'm sure the other two lads were thinking they'd have a go at me after two out. I wanted to try to get a bit of company going to four out, and when they didn't come I thought I'd wind it up from three out and, to be fair to him, he's really picked up.

"He idled a bit in the last 100 yards but for a comeback run, it was a perfect."

Looking forward to a second bid for Gold Cup glory, the jockey added: "He feels every bit as good as he did last year. I think if he can produce last year's run in the Gold Cup, that puts him bang there.

"He was only beaten just over two lengths in it last year and the Gold Cup looks very open this year. You've got to think he's got a fantastic chance."

Tizzard told Racing UK: "Absolute relief. We all saw what he can do last year. You can't ask for any more really.

"It was an ideal prep for the Gold Cup and as long as he's OK in the next 10 days, the dream is still alive.

"When they turned to the cross-fence, the two greys were travelling very well but he's a good jumper and when Richard asked, he went away almost effortlessly. He's such a good horse.

"I'm sure he'll improve, it's race fitness isn't it? The cards were dealt for us when he had ligament trouble. This was always going to be his first race.

"We were getting a bit jumpy when the frost was forecast as we needed this race before the Gold Cup."