'Genius' Twiston-Davies lands fifth International Hurdle with Guard Your Dreams

Sam Twiston-Davies hailed his dad Nigel a genius after the father-and-son partnership teamed up to win the Grade 2 Unibet International Hurdle with 5-1 shot Guard Your Dreams.

It was a fifth win in the race for the winning trainer, who landed the 2m1f contest with The New One in 2013, 2014 and 2016, as well as with Khyber Kim in 2009.

Twiston-Davies jnr in the saddle admitted that he had been less than convinced this was the right race for Guard Your Dreams, favouring the Relkeel Hurdle back at Cheltenham on New Year's Day, but was overruled by his father who once again got it spot on.

In a colourful post-race interview on ITV, the winning rider said: "Nigel Twiston-Davies is my dad first and foremost but he's a genius. I promise you, the screaming matches we've had about this race.

Saturday's results and replays

"I said the Relkeel back here on January 1 was perfect and he said: 'No, we're going for the International and we'll win it' and he's gone and done it.

"He's got big balls which will explain why he's got so many kids!"

In a pulsating finish, Guard Your Dreams first got the better of Hunters Call after the last before holding the late challenge of Song For Someone by half a length.

Blazing Khal leads over the last at CheltenhamCredit: Edward Whitaker

Blazing Khal favourite for Albert Bartlett after impressive Cheltenham success

Blazing Khal took control at the head of the market for the Albert Bartlett in March when extending his unbeaten sequence over hurdles to three at Cheltenham on Saturday.

A winner over 2m5f at Cheltenham's November meeting, the extra three furlongs on this occasion held no fears and even a bad mistake at the second last could not stop the improving five-year-old gaining a second verdict over Gelino Bello.

His error at the second last was certainly notable but after regaining his balance in the saddle, rider Donal McInerney was soon sitting pretty and Blazing Khal had taken him to the lead by the last. From there he started to put daylight between himself and his rivals, leaving bookmakers to revise their Albert Bartlett markets.

Paddy Power promoted him to the 5-1 favourite (from 8) for that race, which looks the ideal target, and 14-1 (from 25) for the Ballymore in March.

"He was a lot slicker early on today," said McInerney. "He put down at the second last but everyday is a learning day for him and hopefully he will come back here in March and be as good as he can be.

"There's no end to his stamina, after the second last he took off and I still got there too soon. He's very good and I'm very lucky to be riding the likes of him."

Winning trainer Charles Byrnes suggested the Dublin Racing Festival would be next for the winner, before a tilt at the Albert Bartlett.

MY DROGO ridden by Harry Skelton wins at CHELTENHAM 11/12/21Photograph by Grossick Racing Photography 0771 046 1723Credit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

'Committed' My Drogo off the mark over fences

My Drogo put his infamous chase debut behind him when getting off the mark at the second attempt over fences at Cheltenham on Saturday.

A faller when travelling strongly at the second-last at the same course last month, My Drogo was sent off the 2-9 favourite for the 2m4½f novices' chase and ultimately outclassed his opponents but there were at least a couple of hairy moments for anyone who took those prohibitive odds.

The first came at the ditch in the back straight, which he stood off a mile, and it was a similar story at the last, which he met on a very long stride bit did not clear by very far.

On the plus side he raced with plenty of zest and was certainly not frightened to attack his fences, with the performance enough for Paddy Power to snip his price to 7-1 (from 8) for the Turners Novices' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March.

"The two he got wrong, if you like, he didn't really get wrong he was just a long, long way off them," said winning trainer Dan Skelton. "What I did like about it was that he was committed. If he's long he stays long and stays committed which is good."

The festival-winning trainer added: "It's not silky smooth to watch, I'll admit that, but he's got all the ability and ultimately that's very important. He's a horse who lives life on the edge a little bit and has been like that all his life.

"He's hyper-competitive at home and very sensitive. You can see when Harry says go it's instant which is probably where those couple of long jumps came in. That's all got to be ironed out a little bit to make it the best it can be but ultimately it was a very good display."

Skelton confirmed that the plan was to remain at two and a half miles this season and nominated the Dipper Novices' Chase at Cheltenham on New Year's Day as the next target.

Interne De Sivola is clear of his rivals at CheltenhamCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Interne De Sivola enters Triumph Hurdle picture

Interne De Sivola was introduced at 16-1 with Paddy Power and Betfair Sportsbook for the JCB Triumph Hurdle in March after taking a significant step forward to land the Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle at Cheltenham on Saturday.

Third on his debut at Warwick last month, Interne De Sivola raced prominently early, was four lengths clear by the fifth hurdle and stayed on strongly in the hands of Chester Williams to score by five and a half lengths from favourite Yorksea.

Boasting a strong French pedigree, Interne De Sivola is trained by Nick Williams for owner Ron Watts and certainly appears to be among the leading juvenile hurdlers seen in Britain so far this season.

"He's bred to be good, he looks good and he felt good," said the winning rider. "His attitude is so good – he's so uncomplicated and pretty much made the running first time out.

"He takes everything in his stride and will probably be better when he gets a bit more cut. I should think when het gets proper winter ground he will be better again."

Paddy Power and Betfair also shortened the Dan Skelton-trained In This World, the horse who beat Interne De Sivola by nine lengths at Warwick, to 8-1 (from 10) following the run.

Read these next:

'He is as tough as teak' - Coole Cody delights Williams in Racing Post Gold Cup

Ruby Walsh: 'At times somebody has to tell someone else to sit down and shut up'

Robbie Dunne banned for 18 months for bullying and harassing Bryony Frost

The Racing Post Annual 2022 is here! Look back on a star-studded year in this fabulous 224-page book packed with the best stories and pictures. The perfect gift at £14.99. Order from racingpost.com/shop or call 01933 304858 now!