Ar Mad shows his heart to win in Kempton Ar Mad produced a tremendously game display to deny hot favourite Vaniteux in a pulsating climax to the Grade Two novices' chase at Kempton. Gary Moore's Ar Mad was a 5-2 chance in the hands of the trainer's son Josh following a scintillating front-running display in the Grade One Henry VIII Novices' Chase at Sandown at the start of the month, with the Nicky Henderson-trained Vaniteux the 10-11 market leader to follow up an impressive chasing debut over the course and distance. It was nearly all over for favourite-backers at the very first fence as Vaniteux badly fluffed his lines, but Nico de Boinville managed to sit tight and his jumping was far more assured for the rest of the race. Ar Mad jumped brilliantly out in front, constantly putting pressure on his opponents. Vaniteux managed to keep tabs on him, however, and looked like coming out on top after hitting the front in the straight. But Ar Mad roared back tenaciously on the run to the final fence and after producing the quicker leap, he got back up to take the Grade Two prize, better known as the Wayward Lad, by a neck. Moore said: "I'd say the track was too sharp for him and the ground was probably quick enough as well, so he's done well to win. I was amazed that he got back up and beat him (Vaniteux) but it shows what a big heart he's got." After Sandown, Moore had been keen to rule out an Arkle bid at Cheltenham, with Ar Mad having been beaten when going left-handed on his chasing bow at Plumpton. But a reassessment looks like being on the cards. The trainer added: "It (Arkle) is something that we are going to have to try. It's the obvious race for him. Whether we go straight there, I don't know - we'll see what options are open to him. "He's had three quick races now so we'll probably give him a break now." Henderson hinted that Vaniteux might have been a gallop short. He said: "I think there's a bit of improvement in him somewhere, but where do you go with a novice chaser when there are only about five suitable races before the Festival? "He kept at it well, and is broken but not unbowed."
