Shantou lands big pot on first start for Curtis Shantou Flyer gave his new connections an immediate return on their investment by winning the 60,000 pound BetBright Best For Festival Betting Handicap Chase at Cheltenham on Sunday. Formerly trained by Colin Bowe, the seven-year-old was having his first run for Rebecca Curtis and his first since the Galway Plate. He crept into contention behind Village Vic, but did well to avoid the falling Henri Parry Morgan coming down the hill and then stayed on stoutly for Aidan Coleman. Village Vic gave his usual bold sight but went down by three lengths behind the 20-1 shot. Top Gamble was third. Curtis said: "That was nice, I was a bit worried as I thought he was on a high-enough mark (149) and I was a bit worried about the ground, but he handled it well enough. "He jumped really well and came up the hill well. I'm delighted for Carl (Hinchy, owner) as he puts a lot of effort into the yard and if anyone deserves a winner here it's him, it hasn't been without trying. "He came to us not long after the Galway Plate and we gave him a break until September. "You look at him as a National horse as he stays so well, so maybe that's the target."
