'Lovely horse' Shang Tang brushes away rivals with impressive chasing debut

Shang Tang had not been seen since running in the Coral Cup at the Cheltenham Festival in March but he defied his chasing inexperience with a game victory in the 2m5f novice chase.

The Emma Lavelle-trained seven-year-old was a two-time winner last season over hurdles and warmed to the task under Tom Bellamy on his chasing bow to beat the evens favourite Hooper, whose idling in the closing stages prompted a stewards' inquiry.

Lavelle, who has enjoyed three winners from her last six runners, including one on the Flat, said: "He'd been very good in his schooling at home but he jumped the first couple a bit big and he just went 'wow, this is a bit scary'.

"Tom was brilliant on him and got his confidence back. He started winging them down the back and jumped his way to the front, and then he was like 'Oh my God, what am I doing here?'"

She added: "He's a lovely horse. He took a bit of time to mature mentally, so we kept him over hurdles last season but chasing was always going to be his game. We'll see how he is after today and then make a plan."

Nicholls' decision pays off

Paul Nicholls' gamble to not scratch Mick Pastor from the concluding 2m½f handicap chase due to the ground was vindicated in fine style as the five-year-old registered an easy success to complete a hat-trick.

The 13-8 favourite followed on from the victory of Montys Medoc in the 2m5½f handicap hurdle earlier on the card to give Nicholls and stable jockey Harry Cobden a double on the day.

Results, replays and analysis

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