Racing: Grandouet staked a big claim for the Champion Hurdle with an emphatic victory in the StanJames.com International Hurdle at Cheltenham today.
The highly-progressive four-year-old proved superior in a quality field as he completed a big-race double for trainer Nicky Henderson and jockey Barry Geraghty, after the success of Quantitativeeasing in the Spinal Research The Atlantic 4 Gold Cup.
The ultra-game Overturn set off in front in customary fashion, but was hounded by Irish raider Pittoni until the race hotted up before the final flight.
Grandouet, the 5-2 joint-favourite, moved menacingly to land fractionally in front and bounded up the hill in impressive style, scoring by four lengths from Overturn with Brampour a neck away third.
Quantitativeeasing (6/1) won a thrilling renewal in owner JP McManus's famous green and gold colours.
Considered second best to Sunnyhillboy by AP McCoy and the betting public, Quantitativeeasing stayed on best of all to grab the prize under Geraghty, while the gambled on 7/2 favourite failed to fire.
Roudoudou Ville had looked to have slipped the field rounding the home turn but he was caught up the hill, as Quantitativeeasing threaded himself between that horse and Medermit in the final 50 yards.
Geraghty said: "We knew he had a chance, but I didn't think we had much of a chance four or five out. I struggled a bit through the race but I knew turning in if I wasn't far off I'd have a chance. I pinged the last few but was I struggling a bit before then, it was a rough race if you weren't travelling.""
Henderson said: "It was great race and a great ride. I feel sorry for AP (McCoy), it was his idea I suppose (to ride Sunnyhillboy). I thought he would ride our horse with it having 10st 7lb and the other horse 10st 4lb.
"The horse has been very consistent and you'd have to say he deserves one. He was second at the Festival and in the Paddy Power, so he's got one back at last. They went a really good gallop, it looked as if he was further back than intended but only because they were going so quick. There was always a chance they'd come together at the top of the hill.
"It's always nice (to win on a Saturday)."
McManus, also the owner of Sunnyhillboy, said: "I didn't really know which one AP was going to pick, I got the impression it was going to be a toss-up and you don't always make the right decision.
"I'm sure he'll be happy for me anyway."
Alan King said of Medermit: "He has run a marvellous race. He missed one on the back straight but he never lets you down. I suppose we will work back from the Ryanair now, although I have always wanted to try him at three miles at some point."
Victor Dartnall said of Roudoudou Ville: "The jockey lost his iron and as soon as he got it back in it set the horse alight, if he could have kept him relaxed going down the hill it might have been a different story. But that's just the way it goes."