No whip, no problem for O'Connor as Ok Corral shoots down rivals in Sky Bet

Who needs the whip? Derek O'Connor added spice to racing's most controversial topic by losing his stick just after the last fence in the Sky Bet Handicap Chase at Doncaster and yet still forcing Ok Corral to victory in a tight finish.

Hands and heels driving enabled the leading Irish amateur to get the better of a dual with Millie Wonnacott on Fingerontheswitch by half a length, landing the £100,000 feature on just his second ride at Doncaster.

Asked about the loss of his whip, he said: "It can be overplayed at times. When you have a willing partner it's half the battle and he tried all the way to the line."

An inquiry was held into O'Connor's use of the palm of his hand to encourage the horse on the run-in. The stewards noted O'Connor's explanation that he instinctively used his hand against the pad and avoided making contact with the horse's skin. The stewards reminded him of his responsibilities under rule D(2).

Success marked a return to form by the Nicky Henderson-trained winner, and O'Connor added: "Nicky has done some job because his runs have been disappointing this season. Possibly the nicer ground and the flat track suits a speedy horse. He could be an Aintree horse."

Wonnacott, a 7lb claimer, was thrilled to go so close but said of Fingerontheswitch: "He just jumped his way to the front too soon. He can be a bit of a monkey sometimes when he's out on his own in front but he ran an absolute blinder."

Watch Derek O'Connor and Ok Corral win the Sky Bet Chase

Emotional winner for Brooks with Simply The Betts

Gavin Sheehan and Simply The Betts clear the last at CheltenhamCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Simply The Betts earned Cheltenham Festival quotes after his victory in the 2m4½f novice handicap chase at Cheltenham, but that was the last thing on Andrew Brooks's mind.

His eight-year-old, who is trained by Harry Whittington and is 12-1 (from 16-1) with Paddy Power and Betfair for the Close Brothers Novices' Handicap Chase, is named after the owner's late friend and colleague Chris Betts.

"He died of cancer," said the insurance broker. "That's going to mean the world to the office and his parents. I knew him for 15 years and he was one of my best friends."

"That's for him and hopefully he's looking down now. He died a few years ago and loved racing. We always talked about them and he'd come in every Monday and joke he wanted his money back after backing one of my horses!

"This is really special and to win here is wonderful for him."

Watch Simply The Betts success at Cheltenham

Ramses the Don but National is main aim

Never mind Cheltenham, connections of Ramses De Teillee have eyes only for Aintree after the versatile grey scooped the Grade 2 Albert Bartlett River Don Novices' Hurdle at Doncaster.

Runner-up in the 2018 Welsh National, he has an unusual profile for a top novice over hurdles and made experience count when seeing off four rivals from the front under a confident Tom Scudamore.

Betfair introduced the winner at 25-1 for the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham in March, and while that race is not out of the question, the Randox Health Grand National is the big target.

Scudamore said: "He's galloped them into submission. All roads lead to Aintree but we've picked up two novice hurdles, including a Grade 2 along the way, and there's no reason why he can't pick up more."

Galahad wins Triumph trial but festival quest unlikely

Galahad Quest passed his first Cheltenham test with flying colours in the Grade 2 Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle but is unlikely to return for the final exam at the festival in March.

Sent off at 6-1, the four-year-old produced a powerful challenge at the last and held off Night Edition to win by a length for trainer Nick Williams, who plans to be patient with the winner.

"I bought him as a three-mile chase prospect so I didn't want to do too much with him this year," said Williams. "He ran so well last time when second at Taunton, a track I didn't think would suit, that I had to give this a go. He's got a proper jumping pedigree so he's very exciting."

Williams is keen to avoid a repeat of 2014. He won this race with Le Rocher, who picked up an injury before the festival and was off the track for 1,028 days.

"I have to be careful and he may not run again as a juvenile," Williams added. "This was simply a good target worth going for after the race cut up a bit. I wasn't that surprised by his performance."

Mister Fisher lays down festival marker

James Bowen (left) with Mister Fisher after Grade 2 victory at DoncasterCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Mister Fisher is a 10-1 shot (from 14-1) for the Marsh Novices' Chase with Betfair and 14-1 (from 25-1) for the Racing Post Arkle after landing the Grade 2 Lightning Novices' Chase at Doncaster.

Asked whether he was a likely candidate for either, jockey James Bowen said: "I've no idea! I've never ridden in an Arkle or a Marsh and I'll leave that to the experts."

Bowen is convinced that Mister Fisher has improved this term and said: "He's twice the horse of last season, he's very good over fences.

"The ground is the key, it's a bit quicker today – it's been soft or dead all season and he's looked slow."

Watch Mister Fisher's Lightening victory at Doncaster

Minella Melody in tune for De Bromhead

Honeysuckle is not the only mare Kenny Alexander and Henry de Bromhead have to look forward to for the rest of this season as Minella Melody gave weight and a convincing beating to her rivals in the Grade 3 Solerina Mares Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse.

The winner had to deal with a three-pronged attack from Willie Mullins in this contest, including Grade 1 bumper winner Colreevy, but in the hands of Rachael Blackmore, the daughter of Flemensfirth quickened up nicely after the final flight to defeat Colreevy by two and a half lengths.

De Bromhead said: "I thought she toughed it out again, she is obviously a lady that doesn't kill herself and only does enough. She is probably more of a staying type mare and she is one we will keep our options open with."

He added: "She would have to be considered now for the Mares' Novice Hurdle [at Cheltenham for which she is a best-priced 6-1] and we might put her in the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle too. She's a lovely mare, and I thought she toughed it out really well with her penalty.”

Cepage digs deep for deserved first Cheltenham win

Terrier-like tenacity won the day in the Grade 3 2m4½f handicap chase as Cepage ground out victory from the front to finally get his head in front at Cheltenham after a few previous near misses.

Winning trainer Venetia Williams said: "I'm absolutely thrilled for the horse and his owners as he has not missed a beat all the way round. However, I must admit when they landed over the last I thought, 'Oh no, not again', as they were all snapping at his heels but they probably helped as he kept finding in front.

Cepage proves impossible to pass under Charlie Deutsch in the handicap chase at CheltenhamCredit: Edward Whitaker

"He is going to find things tougher now now in the big handicap chases but as far as the festival is concerned he has the option of the Gold Cup or one of those handicaps as Aso, who is in the same ownership, will go for the Ryanair Chase."

Watch Cepage win at Cheltenham

Theo's Charm secures first success in over four years

You had to go all the way back to January 2016 to find the last occasion Theo's Charm graced the winner's enclosure, but just over four years later he got his head back in front at Uttoxeter.

The ten-year-old has run with credit on plenty of outings since winning at Plumpton in 2016, but had found victory elusive. However, thanks to the efforts of jockey Rex Dingle, he rallied past Flowery to win the feature 2m4f handicap hurdle by a head.

The stewards did take a look at the finish with the winner and runner-up coming close together, but Theo's Charm kept the race, much to trainer Nick Gifford's delight.

"He's a grand servant and always gives his all," Gifford said. "For two years he didn't run a bad race, we were trying him over three miles and wasn't quite getting home.

"He's not ungenuine but has his own thoughts on life, but the handicapper had given him a chance and I'm delighted he got his head in front."

Allaho emerges as an RSA contender

The Cheveley Park-owned Allaho looks a hugely exciting novice chaser and was cut to a general 10-1 shot for the RSA Novices' Chase and 12-1 for the Marsh Novices' Chase after turning a decent looking 2m5½f beginners chase into a procession at Fairyhouse.

Making all under Paul Townend, Allaho jumped well and straight, and even though he got a little tired after the final fence, still had 21 lengths to spare at the line.

"I was hoping that was what he would do at Leopardstown but he's come on an awful lot for that," said Townend.

Allaho cruises to an easy success in the beginners' chase at FairyhouseCredit: Patrick McCann

Trainer Willie Mullins added: "He jumped great and I imagine he will take up one of the engagements at Cheltenham."

Super sit

One of the loudest cheers of the afternoon at Uttoxeter was reserved for jockey Lorcan Williams, who produced a gravity-defying piece of horsemanship to stay aboard Financial Outcome in the 3m novice handicap chase. Financial Outcome made a bad mistake four out with Williams at one point hanging on the side of the horse but he somehow righted himself with the pair finishing third.