Fadalko takes Cheltenham feature

Fadalko belatedly opened his account for the season with victory over Wahiba Sands in the Grade Two Faucets For Mira Showers Silver Trophy Chase at Cheltenham today.

And winning trainer Paul Nicholls wasted no time in stating that the Sir Robert Ogden owned nine year old could make a quick reappearance in the attheraces.co.uk todaysbestbet Chase at Sandown on Saturday week.

Mick Fitzgerald sent Fadalko ahead with seven fences to negotiate before staying on six lengths too strongly for the runner up with his stable mate Earthmover a distance back in third spot.

Nicholls admitted Fadalko`s performances this winter had left him scratching his head on occasions, saying: 'He`s been so frustrating as he`s taken so long to come to hand but he always seems to come good in the spring - it`s just that he`s taken longer this time.

'He could well go to Sandown next week as he was second in the race last year behind Edredon Bleu, as long as he comes out of this okay. He`ll definitely be entered in any case.'

Richard Johnson was on the mark with a double courtesy of wins for Henry Daly`s Palarshan in the Concord Brights Filing Products Juvenile Novices Hurdle and In Contrast who took the Telectronics Systems Auction Novices Hurdle.

Palarshan, a winner over hurdles in Czechoslovakia, made the perfect start to his new career in Britain as he readily came clear of Texas Ranger. However there was a sting in the tail as Johnson quickly dismounted on pulling up - feeling that the horse was sore.

An anxious Daly said afterwards: 'Richard said he felt a bit pottery on pulling up so I just pray he`s all right in the morning as he looks to be a horse with a bright future.'

In Contrast easily followed up his recent Aintree success when having little difficulty in disposing of Sea Drifting. His trainer Philip Hobbs declared he would probably stay over hurdles next season but chasing remains his long term future.