Spot Thedifference Lands Fifth Success In The Sporting Index Chase

He may be rising 14 years old, but Spot Thedifference shows no signs of slowing and landed his fifth success over the cross-country course in the Sporting Index Chase.

Owned by JP McManus and trained by Enda Bolger, the veteran rarely runs a bad race over the banks course and despite taking the race in 2004 and 2005, he was allowed to go off at 5-1.

The mount of JT McNamara cruised through the race with more fluency than normal and produced his usual charge towards the line to beat Star Performance by a length.

McManus said: 'That was pretty exciting and JT said he travelled better today than when he won this race in the past ? he must be getting better with age.

'It takes a master to get one ready for this sort of race and hopefully he will be back here next month.

'He is a bit of a character and saves a bit for himself so there is no reason why he can't go on for a while longer.'

The winner's stablemate, Buailtes And Fadas, finished third but collapsed and died moments later.

Bolger enjoyed better fortune in the opening race when Darby Wall made amends for a fall at the previous meeting by battling to success under McNamara in the paddypower.com Amateur Riders' Handicap Chase.

The 6-1 chance travelled like a dream for his pilot and after nudging into the lead turning for home, he was all out to hold the rallying No Guarantees by a neck.

Bolger said: 'He was free and fresh the last time he ran here so we changed his training regime and he settled better.

'He was running out of steam at the end there so we will probably drop him back to two miles and five furlongs for another amateur riders' race at the next meeting here in December.'

Moon Over Miami produced an impressive turn of foot to capture the Grade Two Anglo Irish Private Banking Novices' Hurdle on the first day of Cheltenham's Open meeting.

After finishing runner-up on his two previous outings this autumn, the five-year-old was one of the less fancied runners and was sent off at 16-1, with Irish raiders Cuan Na Grai and Kalderon dominating the betting.

But after being settled well off a frenetic pace, Noel Fehily's mount crept into the race down the far side of the course before charging up the hill to secure a one-length victory.

War General looked to have seen off his only danger in the shape of Mill House Girl after jumping the last, but Moon Over Miami came with a withering run to foil the grey's challenge.

Blue Square introduced the winner at 40-1 for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle, while William Hill, Cashmans and Paddy Power are shorter at 33-1.

The latter firm pushed Cuan Na Grai out to 20-1 after the market leader trailed in a distant and eased-down sixth.

Winning trainer Charlie Mann said: 'He has got himself beat the last twice and he should have won but he pulled too free.

'They went no pace on those occasions but they have gone a decent gallop here and it played into our hands.

'Better ground will suit him even more and we hope to come back here in March and pick up some other races on the way.'

Connections of War General suffered a cruel blow when Tom Taaffe's charge collapsed after the line and died due to internal bleeding.

VC Bet trimmed Standin Obligation into 10-1 from 20s for the Royal & SunAlliance Chase after the David Pipe-trained seven-year-old made virtually all in the Steel Plate And Sections Novices' Chase.

The 4-6 favourite fought back when headed by Openide after the final fence and crossed the line with a length to spare under Timmy Murphy.

Pipe said: 'It looked like he could win this race and he jumped super. He is probably better with a lead but had to do the donkey work.

'He has improved all the time since he came to us but there are no definite plans.'

Rubberdubber continued on an upward curve when taking his third race over fences in the Beards Jewellers Cup.

Tony McCoy took command aboard the 5-2 favourite at the final fence and despite Armaturk staying on again up the run-in, Rubberdubber had too many guns and collected by three lengths.

Winning trainer Charles Egerton said: 'He was up in grade today and could not have done it any better.

'We need to go home and look at the book now and make a plan. There is a valuable race at Ascot next weekend and that is a possible.'

Robert Colgan conjured a late spurt from After Midnight in the Royal Bank of Canada Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle and the 9-2 joint favourite caught his market rival From Dawn To Dusk in the dying strides for a three-quarter length verdict.

Trainer Tony Martin said: 'He is only four years old and is still a bit weak, but this is job done and he will make a chaser in time.'

(C) PA Sport