Business falls on Chepstow return

Arctic Camper found the winner`s circle for the first time in almost two years when bouncing back to something approaching his best in the Tote John Hughes Rehearsal Chase at Chepstow today.

But Venetia Williams` charge could well have been fortunate to collect as the 1999 Cheltenham Gold Cup hero See More Business was upsides the winner when taking a crashing fall at the second last fence.

See More Business laid agonisingly still and the tell-tale screens were erected around the prostrate gelding with many racegoers in the stands fearing the worst as he was down for almost five minutes.

However, huge cheers erupted from the stands as the horse, who had been badly winded in the fall, scrambled to his feet before being led away seemingly none the worst for the fall.

His trainer Paul Nicholls was not at the track but his father Brian, who was quickly at the scene, declared afterwards: 'Very luckily, he was only badly-winded as the fall just knocked all the air out of him when he hit the deck.

'I`m very relieved as that was the most harrowing few minutes I`ve experienced for quite a while.'

Arctic Camper was left with the race at his mercy following the fall and he had ten lengths to spare over Wicked Crack.

However, Williams is unsure whether the ten year old will line up for the Coral Eurobet Welsh National later this month.

She said: 'He`s in the race but I`m not sure three and three-quarter miles on heavy ground around here would be what he needs as he`s had a lot of problems and his owners Lord and Lady Harris have been very patient with him.'

Despite those misgivings, Coral have Arctic Camper as 4-1 joint favourite with Hennessy hero What`s Up Boys for their race.

Arctic Camper`s rider Norman Williamson had earlier initiated a 116-1 double with Captain O`Neill in the chepstow-racecourse.co.uk Novices` Selling Hurdle.

However, the stewards decided he had used his whip with access force and suspended him for one day (December 17th).