'This one is something special' - Third Time Lucki ends owner's 30-year wait

Mike Newbould has spent 30 years dreaming of one day basking in Cheltenham's iconic winner's enclosure and his ambition finally came to fruition on Friday when the horse he describes as “something special” proved to be just that.

There was hardly a moment’s doubt for Third Time Lucki backers after the tapes went up for the 2m novice chase. The Dan Skelton-trained runner travelled with complete ease as he galloped clear of his four opponents, with Harry Skelton only required to exert minimal effort to score by eight and a half lengths on an impressive chasing debut.

While Newbould described Friday's experience as “unbelievable”, the performance did not come as a surprise. The owner believed Third Time Lucki could be something out of the ordinary from the first moment he saw him. He bought the son of Arcadio following a recommendation from Andrew Tinkler.

Dan Skelton said after the race that all roads would now lead to a return here in March for the Arkle, and Paddy Power make Third Time Lucki a 14-1 chance for that festival target.

2.30 Cheltenham Friday: full result and race replay

Newbould said: "I couldn't believe it. I've come here for 30 years and I've had plenty of runners here and that's my first winner. The noise! I couldn't believe the cheer, and it's not even a full crowd. This place is unbelievable. He was second here last year but this is just something else.

"He's glamorous, he's flash and he's posey. I think this one is something special. It’s early days, but you can’t come here in a decent race and beat them the way he’s just beaten them. They’ve all run three or four times and this is his first run over fences, so it’s exciting."

Skelton, who described Third Time Lucki as a “pure two-miler”, suggested a return for the Grade 2 novice chase on November 13 could come next, before a tilt at the Henry VIII, which the stable won with Allmankind last season.

Analysis: 'He didn't miss a beat'

What does it take to win an Arkle? Speed, pinpoint jumping accuracy and a high level of ability. That's three ticks for the Dan Skelton-trained Third Time Lucki, who took the breath away with a monster performance at Cheltenham on Friday.

The six-year-old promised plenty in bumpers two years ago and over hurdles last term, and always looked the ideal type to go chasing with. This performance confirmed that theory. Despite racing enthusiastically, Third Time Lucki didn't miss a beat at his fences and effortlessly drew clear of a talented, albeit not Arkle standard, bunch.

The initial 20-1 for the Cheltenham showpiece two-mile chase was a very fair price and understandably didn't last long.
Tom Collins, tipster

Elliott back in business

Gordon Elliott trained his first Cheltenham winner following his suspension when 15-8 favourite Top Bandit landed the 2m½f maiden hurdle.

Top Bandit was ridden to a three-quarter-length victory by Davy Russell, who was enjoying his first winner at the course since the final day of the festival in 2020.

"It's great to be back at Cheltenham and it's great to have a winner, so I'm absolutely delighted," said Elliott, while Russell added: "That was great, it gave me a good feeling. I love this place. He's a grand horse, it was a lovely performance and he jumped fantastic."

Elsewhere, Camprond enjoyed his fourth win over hurdles in the opening Ballymore Novices' Hurdle.

Graded targets next

You could almost see Chris Gordon's brain whirring away as he admired last season's Betfair Hurdle fourth Annual Invictus, who could be set for a rise in class after jumping splendidly to post a convincing success in the 2m4f novice handicap chase.

Annual Invictus sets off for home ahead of Danny KirwanCredit: Edward Whitaker

"I'd be quite happy to finish the season today!" joked Gordon, who is most definitely not planning to draw stumps with the winner for some time.

"The way he jumped is going to stand him in good stead," added Gordon. "All horses like the sort of ground we've got today but he has won on heavy, and on softer ground I think we might look at one or two of those Graded races. In very testing ground we could also drop back in trip."

'We're now in such a pickle'

Not that long ago Nigel and Sam Twiston-Davies thought they knew what they were doing with Guard Your Dreams. But after last season's Coral Cup seventh and subsequent Grade 1 third gave weight to all his rivals to win the 2m4f handicap hurdle, they are no longer so sure.

A racegoer enjoys the scene at Cheltenham on FridayCredit: Edward Whitaker

"He's always been very good, there's no doubt about that," said the winning trainer. "We're now in such a pickle. He was going over fences until Sam spotted this race. He'd have a future over hurdles but he's also schooled brilliantly over fences, so I don't know what to do. It's a nice problem to have, though."

Williams is a fitting winner of Stewart race

Big Buck's paraded prior to the handicap chase run in memory of his late owner Andy Stewart, whose superstar staying hurdler also had a connection with Christian Williams, trainer of the winner Strictlyadancer.

"I rode Big Buck’s in the paddock at Warwick one day," said Williams. "I’d had a fall in the race before and broke my leg in five places. I passed the doctor, so I took six or seven painkillers and weighed out, but I couldn’t put my leg in the iron. They had to carry me off him and Liam Heard rode him instead."

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