Jingko Blue puts James Bowen and Nicky Henderson in front again

James Bowen quickly doubled his Cheltenham Festival haul after guiding 9-2 favourite Jingko Blue to a commanding BetMGM Cup success on Wednesday.

Backed into favouritism from a double-figure price in the morning, Bowen – who opened his Festival account in the final race on day one – was always in control aboard Nicky Henderson’s seven-year-old as he made every yard.

A host of Irish challengers loomed, but Jingko Blue was never for catching as he stormed up the Cheltenham hill to give Henderson a third winner of the week.

Henderson Credits Bowen Following Tactical Shift

“He’s not the most straightforward horse, he’s always a bit creeky, but he ran a good race in the Relkeel here on Trials day and to go and win a race like this he’s earnt his corn for the year anyway that’s for sure,” said the the Seven Barrows handler.

“It will keep Tony Barney (owner) quiet for at least a day, then on Friday, god knows what happens (with Jango Baie in the Gold Cup)!

“This horse just couldn’t jump fences and he was untidy enough over hurdles to be honest, but he was good today and it was a great piece of riding, because to make the running wasn’t in plan anything!

“Even James just said he ended up there and he’s actually quickened away at the end. Nobody else got into it in the end.”

HMS Seahorse, trained by Paul Nolan, was fatally injured in a fall at the final flight.

Williams Records Landmark Winner Following Testing Campaign

Venetia Williams has endured a testing season, but landed a blow at the meeting where it matters most, as 66-1 outsider Martator denied Jazzy Matty back-to-back Debenhams Johnny Henderson Grand Annual victories.

Williams said: “Everybody here knows this is the place you spend your whole life as a National Hunt trainer trying to have winners. It’s been quite a challenge this season. Everybody has worked through a very wet winter which usually should suit us, but it’s been tough.

“From the angle I had no idea whether he’d won. I thought he had and then people in our team around me were saying it was close, so then the doubt came in.

“It’s so rewarding for everybody in the yard and all the work they put in to have this horse put in a a performance like that. He’s always been an individual horse with a lot going on in his head, but he was practically cantering coming into the winner’s enclosure.”