'He's an absolute warrior' - Coole Cody digs in to land Plate for Evan Williams

Thursday: Plate, Cheltenham

You wouldn't like him when he's angry. The incredible Coole Cody is a superhero in 2m4f chases round Cheltenham and getting him riled is not a wise idea.

The gutsy front-runner seemed to channel his inner Bruce Banner when he was headed three out in the Craft Irish Whiskey Co. Plate Handicap Chase.

Jockey Adam Wedge reckoned it was his inner rage that drove him to fight back so vehemently that he was back in front before the last and went on to score by six and a half lengths.

Full result and replay from the Plate at Cheltenham

"He's an absolute warrior," the rider said. "He got cut up on the bend and that just put more fire in his belly. Once I pulled him out, he wasn't letting them past again.

"For a moment in my mind I thought 'that's me gone' but I've pulled him out, given him a crack and I could feel the fire in his belly. He's an angry horse but that made him angrier."

Coole Cody won the Paddy Power Gold Cup at the track for trainer Evan Williams in 2020 and might have won it again this year but for a fall two out.

He gained compensation with success in the Racing Post Gold Cup in December and Wedge said: "For a horse that jumps right you wouldn't think a left-handed track would suit him but all credit to Evan for getting him to win three big handicaps round Cheltenham. It's a fantastic effort."

Wedge was riding his second festival winner, two years after he won the Stayers' Hurdle on Lisnagar Oscar.

"I probably didn't take it all in as much as I should have the first time round," he said. "We weren't expecting it and it was a bit of a shock to my system.

"To do it today for my boss Evan, who's stuck by me through a lot of thick and a lot of thin, means the world."

While some racegoers were bemoaning the £7 pints of Guinness and £14 gin and tonics, Coole Cody proved yet again there are bargains to be found at the festival.

Not only was he a 22-1 shot in a field reduced to just 15 by seven non-runners, but the chaser bought by owner Wayne Cifford for just £5,200 as a yearling also took his career earnings past £290,000.

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