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Le Prezien storms home to claim Grand Annual spoils
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Tue 5 Dec 2023
By Racinguk.com staff
Le Prezien was produced to perfection by Barry Geraghty to bring the curtain down on the Cheltenham Festival with victory in the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase.
Gino Trail set sail for home a long way out and was still in front over the last despite being hampered by loose horses.
But he had no answer to the late challenge of the JP McManus-owned Le Prezien (15-2), who powered up the hill to score by four and a half lengths. Gino Trail's trainer Kerry Lee also saddled the third Top Gamble, who was a neck away. Theinval was fourth.
It was a double for trainer Paul Nicholls following the victory of Pacha Du Polder in the Foxhunter Chase.
Nicholls said: "We weren't sure which race to run him in, but we just felt on this ground we'd get away with two miles.
"He does want further, but it worked out well. It was a good ride. He got hampered, but it probably stopped him getting there too soon.
"He's a proper horse. He's just learning and has been unlucky this season. He's been placed in two good handicaps. That was good.
"He had a long time off and it took us time to get him right. We were aiming him for this meeting whichever race we ran him in."
North Hill Harvey and Dresden were humanely put down after the race.
Harry Skelton, jockey of North Hill Harvey, was taken to hospital as a precaution.
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