Making it Count: Meribel thrilling in victory as owner makes trip from hospital

So often thoughts turn straight to the Cheltenham Festival after any race run at the course, meaning today can be overlooked and almost forgotten. But for owner Charles Walker, the here and now mattered more than anything.

A vision of happiness in the winner’s enclosure after the Steel Plate And Sections Novices’ Chase, Walker had in fact hauled himself from his hospital bed to see his beloved Count Meribel prevail in an enthralling finish with Le Breuil.

Walker’s visit looked to be in vain when Count Meribel made a terrible error at the penultimate fence, nearly ejecting jockey Mark Grant from the saddle in the process. But Grant would not be dislodged and he galvanised the six-year-old back up to deny the runner-up by a neck.