Gelino Belino stars in Sefton for Nicholls and Cobden

Gelino Belllo handed trainer Paul Nicholls and jockey Harry Cobden a second Grade One victory at the 2022 Randox Grand National Festival when successful in the Cavani Menswear Sefton Novices’ Hurdle (3m 149y).

The 7-2 chance scored by four and a half lengths from Gentleman At Arms.

Winning trainer Paul Nicholls said: “He ran ok at Cheltenham in December and he’s just needed all the time to mature. We’ve given him a lot of time and he won well at Newbury last time. We didn’t want to go to Cheltenham with him as we thought he’d be better off here and he’ll just keep getting better as he gets stronger.

“He’ll go novice chasing next year, he’s already jumped fences so bring on October. He’s an exciting prospect and he can only get better. It all counts (towards the Trainers Championship), we’ve had a good week and it all helps.”

Successful jockey Harry Cobden said: “I’m delighted with that after such a disappointing start to the day with Bravemansgame getting beaten. This lad’s made up for it.

“Coming into the race I thought he had a great chance in a fairly open Grade 1 in which nothing stood out, and it was a good bit of placing from Paul who picked the race out a long time ago and bypassed Cheltenham. That was his Gold Cup.

“He’s very good mentally. He’s relaxed and behind the bridle, and going down the side the last time I didn’t think he was going all that well, but when I lifted the bit in his mouth he latched on. He stays well too and he jumps, so he’s a very uncomplicated horse.

“Between the second-last and the last I thought Gentleman At Arms might give us a race, but Gelino Bello stays well and as soon as I’ve given him a little flick he’s taken off and put the race to bed.

“He’ll be a good chaser. We haven’t schooled him over fences yet, but he seems to have loads of scope.”

Stuart Edmunds, trainer of the runner-up Gentleman At Arms, commented: “He had a lovely run round there. He got a bit squeezed but as Ciaran (Gethings) there is no messing about in these Grade One races so we had to push our way out a bit.

“He has run a cracker and he was a big price this morning but the horse doesn’t know his price. He was aimed at this all year and we are chuffed with him. He is not short of boot and you could step him back in trip. Paul has just said to me he thinks the winner is a nice horse.

“You would be greedy to go to Haydock Park for that stayers handicap I think he would be now heading out to the field. We thought we were a handicapper but are we a bit better I don’t know. He can always drop to two and a half again as he has got plenty of boot. I’m chuffed and he has done the team well.”

Lucinda Russell, trainer of the third Haute Estime, said: “I’m absolutely delighted with her. She was the only mare in the field; I’ve always loved her. It’s funny, she always starts big prices, but I think she’s a fantastic mare and I can’t wait to go chasing with her. Mares’ novices’ chases, but we might just run in her in normal novices’ chases as well; she’s outstanding. That’s enough for this season - enough education. Apart from Kelso, I think she’s only run in Listed races. She’s been highly tried, but third in a Grade One is nice.”

Derek Fox, rider of third home Haute Estime, said: “Great run. She won at Haydock in a Listed race early in the season and we all thought a lot of her - that’s her first step up to three miles and she’s a nice mare for the future. I wouldn’t have thought she’d run again this season, but I imagine she’ll go novice chasing next year. She’s got plenty of size and scope to her. I’m very happy with that.”