Chief Dan George (left) forces his head in front of The Package at the line
PICTURE: Racingfotos/Dan AbrahamChief Dan George takes Trophy in photo thriller
Report: Cheltenham, Tuesday
William Hill Trophy Handicap Chase (Grade 3) 3m½f, 4yo+
CHIEF DAN GEORGE sprang a 33-1 shock in a thrilling finish to the William Hill Trophy at Cheltenham.
The James Moffatt-trained and Paddy Aspell-ridden ten-year-old won the race in a photo finish from The Package.
An emotional Aspell said: "It's all down to the horse not the jockey. I was asking questions I should not have been asking but he was brilliant for me.
"This is right up there for me and makes all the morningsriding work in the north worthwhile."
Chief Dan George was one of three who made the early running in the race, joining 2008 Grand National winner
While Paddy Aspell sent his mount to the front, market leaders The Package and Bensalem were held at the rear of the 24-runner field.
The writing appeared to be on the wall for the front three when their front-running position was placed under assault by the chasing group, lead by Niche Market and Ogee.
As Comply Or Die and Joe Lively faltered, however, confirmed-stayer Chief Dan George dipped into his stamina reserves and remained in contention alongside Ogee, who was travelling ominously well.
Bensalem and The Package both made ground from the back towards the end of the second circuit but Bensalem's challenge was cut short at the second-last when he and jockey Robert Thornton hit the turf.
Approaching the final flight it appeared that Ogee and Chief Dan George had the race between them, but as Chief Dan George's superior stamina ground down Ogee, The Package sprouted wings to lay down a rapid late lunge, leaving the connections of Chief Dan George to sweat their way through a brief photo finish deliberation before the race was awarded to the front-runner.
The winning distance was a head, with one and a quarter lengths back to Ogee in third. Offshore Account finished fourth.
James Moffat, the winning trainer, joined the select group of people to have won at the Cheltenham Festival as both a trainer and a jockey.
“That was brilliant, almost as good as riding a winner here 15 year’s ago," he said.
"Itwas totally different being the trainer but it was a wonderful feeling."
He added: "I will have a chat to the owners about a tilt at the Scottish National”
Regrettably, Casey Jones, who fell at the open ditch along with Knowhere and Exmoor Ranger, was put down after the race.
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