Newbury disappointment turns to Cheltenham glory as Gordon celebrates big wins

Chris Gordon says he has already paid for Christmas after two winners at Cheltenham's November meeting, but it could have been a different story as the pair had originally been booked to run at Newbury the previous week.

The Hampshire-based trainer won with front-running favourite Unanswered Prayers in the 2m4f novice handicap chase on Friday, before stablemate Annual Invictus won at 12-1 in the 3m Class 2 handicap hurdle a day later, both ridden by Tom Cannon.

Both victories came in £30,000 races – Gordon was top trainer at the three-day meeting – and have moved the trainer to 22 winners for the season at a strike-rate of 29 per cent.