My Drogo now 7-1 for Turners at festival after Cheltenham redemption

Saturday: Cheltenham

My Drogo was snipped to 7-1 (from 8) with most firms for the Turners Novices’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival after bouncing back from last month's dramatic fall with a first success over fences.

Trainer Dan Skelton admitted his jumping was not "silky" but last season's Mersey Novices' Hurdle winner showed his natural class, winning the 2m4½f novice chase with ease from Torn And Frayed by seven lengths.

He could appear back at Cheltenham next in the Grade 2 Paddy Power Novices’ Chase – known traditionally as the Dipper – on New Year's Day.

"We're not afraid to run him and we'll have to give him a bit more experience," Skelton said. "Visually his jumping's not silky and we can all agree that, but it's the result that counts.

“He considers this to be a game and not serious yet. It's something we have got to iron out and the first thing we have to do is get a few runs under him.

"Is he a horse who's as easy to watch as others? No, he's not, but that doesn't mean he's not going to get fans and people enjoy following him. It'll be a bit of an adventure."

Connections described the success as a relief after his dramatic fall two out on his chasing debut. Sole rival Gin On Lime was also close to coming down then but his chance was saved miraculously by Rachael Blackmore and he was able to win.

The trainer added: "It's a sigh of relief to get him having a clear round. Regardless of what everyone thought it was a non-completion. He's hacked up in the end here and is obviously very good."

'Genius' Twiston-Davies praised after International success

Guard Your Dreams was among the lowest-rated in the Unibet International Hurdle but a gamble to take on better horses was rewarded with a half-length victory for Nigel Twiston-Davies.

The five-year-old saw off the challenge of evergreen 11-year-old Hunters Call before holding off a late charge from last season's winner Song For Someone.

Guard Your Dreams (right) comes to challenge eventual third Hunters Call in the InternationalCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

He became the stable's first International winner since The New One's third win in 2016 and could go next for the race named in honour of that yard favourite, the New One Unibet Hurdle at Haydock on January 22.

“According to the handicapper we couldn’t win but we did. He's a nice young horse who's improving," said Twiston-Davies.

“We'll definitely look at the race at Haydock. I think the Irish will have the say in the Champion Hurdle but we'll think about it.

“He toughed it out and galloped out to the line. He's very similar to The New One and Ballyandy as they were also big, tough triers.”

Winning rider Sam Twiston-Davies praised his father's race planning in a colourful interview with ITV. "He's a genius. I promise you, the screaming matches we've had about this race," he said.

"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!"

Twiston-Davies family celebrations after Guard Your Dreams' successCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

'Hopefully he'll come back here in March'

Blazing Khal extended his unbeaten sequence to three over hurdles and shot to the head of the market for the Albert Bartlett in March after an authoritative success for Charles Byrnes in the Grade 2 novice hurdle.

There will be no questions for the five-year-old to answer concerning the track as his previous victory came at the November meeting and even a shuddering mistake at the second-last could not stop him following up.

Blazing Khal leads over the final flightCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

He started to put daylight between himself and Gelino Bello after the last, scoring by four and a quarter lengths, and was promoted to 5-1 favourite (from 8) for the Albert Bartlett, which is his likely target, and 14-1 (from 25) for the Ballymore in March.

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

Editeur Du Gite still on the up

Editeur Du Gite is 40-1 with Paddy Power for the Queen Mother Champion Chase after recording a fourth win from his last five starts in the Simon Claisse Handicap Chase.

The festival showpiece could be on the horizon according to part-owner Steve Preston, who famously won that prize with Sire De Grugy in 2014. The Game Spirit at Newbury on February 7 could be next for Editeur Du Gite.

Editeur Du Gite puts the Sire De Grugy colours back in the Cheltenham winner's enclosureCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Breakthrough for Williams

Chester Williams had his first Cheltenham success at the 19th attempt when Interne De Sivola took the JCB Triumph Trial and the winning feeling certainly lived up to expectations.

"Knocking off a Cheltenham winner is what you dream of," he said. "Normally when I come here it ends up being a disaster and it's lovely for one to go well.

"It's fantastic, hearing all the 'well dones'. It means a lot. In jump racing you've got great fans and supporters and it's fantastic being here and riding a proper horse. He can only go forward, he's so uncomplicated and he's bolted up there."

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