Jockey gets 12-day ban for taking wrong course as Sweet David wins chaotic cross-country for France

Cheltenham's cross-country racing returned with chaotic scenes as favourite Tommie Beau was pulled up dramatically after taking the wrong route, with Sweet David going on to land the Glenfarclas Handicap Chase.

Jockey Micheal Nolan was given a 12-day ban for going on the inside of the rail after jumping the third-last in front on the 100-30 favourite. Moments later Sweet David clattered into the side of a rail, which launched it on to the course, but nothing could stop the French raider and he charged six and a half lengths clear.

It was a second Cheltenham winner for trainer Gabriel Leenders after Gold Tweet caused a surprise in the Cleeve Hurdle in January 2023. Now a Grade 2-winning chaser, Gold Tweet will return to Britain next weekend to contest the Betfair Chase at Haydock.

Leenders, who has cross-country jumps at his base in south-west France, will aim Sweet David at the Cheltenham Festival race in this discipline, for which Paddy Power make him 10-1.

The trainer said: "When we come [to Britain] they say it's difficult for the French, so it's amazing. I want to come here to win, not to lose.

"It's maybe a good idea to keep the cross-country on the cards in March. Now it's a handicap we have a chance, although the festival is a completely different sport. He came ready and my objective was this race."

Gold Tweet has finished fourth and fifth in preparation for the Betfair Chase and will be spot on for Saturday according to his trainer.

"I don't know the other horses and we need to find a good tactic," Leenders added. "He's the same over hurdles and fences, it's no problem for me. He ran over the big fences in France. My horse is fit for that race. He's very fast and the ground won't be a problem."

Charm given festival aim

Potters Charm will be aimed towards the Gallagher Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival after he made it three from three over jumps with a scintillating display in the Grade 2 Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle.

In a clash of two impressive Cheltenham October winners, it was the Nigel Twiston-Davies runner who skipped clear from the top of the hill and stayed on to record an 11-length victory over odds-on favourite Valgrand.

Potters Charm: impressive winner at Cheltenham on FridayCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

He was cut to 14-1 (from 33) for his March target and could appear next in the Challow at Newbury or the Formby at Aintree.

"He looked so good on that ground and I can't wait to see what he'll do with a bit of dig in it," said Willy Twiston-Davies. "His jumping has sharpened up so well since last time and I'm sure it'll get better again. We'll work back from the festival and get him there in the best shape possible.

"I felt like such a wally after his last win saying he was the apple of my eye and could be the best, but now he's put a 140-rated horse away like that. I'm feeling a bit vindicated now. He doesn't show us much but lights up when he comes to the track. We're very lucky to have a horse like this.

"He's proved he's a Cheltenham Festival-standard horse. He showed speed there and won very well over two and a half miles, so it's got to be Gallagher, I imagine."

Powerful first

The fast-emerging Dylan Johnston rode his first Cheltenham winner when 3-1 favourite Double Powerful took the 2m5f conditional jockeys' handicap hurdle.

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