'It's the best I've had him all year' - Editeur Du Gite given Champion Chase target after delivering back-to-back Desert Orchids

Editeur Du Gite provided the filling in the middle of a big-race triple decker for trainer Gary Moore, winning his second Grade 2 Ladbrokes Desert Orchid Chase shortly after stablemate Salver had bolted up in the Finale Hurdle at Chepstow and moments before Nassalam ran away with the Welsh Grand National.

Winner of the race 12 months ago, Editeur Du Gite followed up that success in the Clarence House Chase but had been comprehensively beaten in four subsequent runs, and watching him bounce back to form made the smile on Moore's face grow even bigger.

"To see him come back today, especially in a handicap, was very special," said the trainer. "It's the first time he's been able to dictate this season and obviously the rain hasn't got into the ground, which is important."

Editeur Du Gite, who provided winning rider Niall Houlihan with a landmark 75th career success and the 23-year-old's last as a conditional, was unable to live with Energumene in last season's Champion Chase at Cheltenham but Moore thought it was likely he would go for that race again, with Paddy Power offering 33-1 (from 66).

"He'll probably go to Newbury now for the Game Spirit and we'll take it from there," said Moore. "He's not getting any younger but looks back to his best now, so he'll probably have a go at the Champion Chase. He's slightly better going left-handed and it will probably be his last chance to run in that race."

This was the first time the Desert Orchid, first staged in 2006, had been run as a limited handicap in an attempt to create a space in the weight-for-age programme between the Grade 1 Tingle Creek at Sandown in December and the Grade 1 Clarence House at Ascot in January.

Master Chewy bites back

Master Chewy set up a tilt at either the Kingmaker Novices' Chase at Warwick or the Lightning Novices' Chase at Lingfield in the new year after storming clear of three rivals to land the Grade 2 Wayward Lad.

Master Chewy: records his first Graded success under Tom BellamyCredit: Alan Crowhurst

There was no hanging around with Nickle Back and Bourbali egging each other on from the off, in the process setting things up nicely for Master Chewy, who jumped with zest throughout under Tom Bellamy.

"He's been called a few names but I just think it's important that he gets there late," said Willy Twiston-Davies, representing his dad and winning trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies. "He's very talented and we'll look at either the Kingmaker or the Lightning before Cheltenham. We'll see where we end up in March but the Arkle can sometimes be a very small field, so why not?

"He's very pacy and I'm delighted for his owners Jamie and Anne-Marie Shepperd, who are big supporters of the yard."

Hype horse Gino delivers

Sir Gino did nothing to diminish his lofty reputation as he made a winning start in Britain with a wide-margin success in the 2m juvenile hurdle.

Already a Listed winner over hurdles at Auteuil, Sir Gino carried the colours of Joe and Marie Donnelly for the first time and looks another high-class recruit to the Nicky Henderson yard.

"He's progressing all of the time and will have learned a lot today," said rider Nico de Boinville. "It's just a case of keeping his mind on the job. He was just losing a bit of concentration in the home straight but that's the first time he's seen a big crowd."

Sir Gino: mskes a successful stable debut for Nicky Henderson under Nico de BoinvilleCredit: Mark Cranham

Sir Gino was halved into 6-1 (from 12) for the JCB Triumph Hurdle in March, with the market headed at 5-1 by Burdett Road, who was a late absentee from the Grade 2 Finale at Chepstow.

"He's a proper horse," said De Boinville. "Someone has to take on Burdett Road and we may as well give it a go."

De Boinville later gave up the winning ride on the Henderson-trained Tweed Skirt in the 3m handicap chase due to a hand injury which meant he had to pull Malystic up after one fence in the Desert Orchid Chase, although officials at Kempton said the injury was not thought to be serious.

Robbie Dunne was the beneficiary aboard Tweed Skirt, who signed off her racing career with an emphatic five-length success and will now be covered by Walk In The Park.

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