'Sammy saved the day' - Twiston-Davies steps in to stop James Davies fall

A remarkable effort from Sam Twiston-Davies stopped a potentially nasty incident for colleague James Davies, as he and Coo Star Sivola stepped in to halt the jockey from falling at a crucial point in the 3m2f handicap chase.

The Mighty Don and Davies were leading when the saddle appeared to slip after jumping the penultimate fence. Davies then clung on to avoid a fall to his right-hand side but as he looked poised to lose the battle to stay on board, he leaned into Twiston-Davies, who took the weight, allowing Davies to regain his balance.

Davies lost his irons but was able to complete, finishing fifth, while Coo Star Sivola found only Domaine De L'Isle too good.

"It was a bit of an interesting one," reflected Twiston-Davies. "Poor James's horse jumped right and into ours and then his tack moved a bit. It was one of those moments, I wasn't really sure what was happening or what I should do. It's racing and these things happen from time to time. Luckily everyone came back safe and sound, which is the main thing."

Brian Hughes picked up the pieces to ride his first Cheltenham winner since 2018, with the Sean Curran-trained Domaine De L'Isle staying on strongly to score by a length and a half.

He said: "I saw James's saddle slip, and Sam was giving him a hand. It was a bit of a mess as he drifted over in my path. Luckily Sammy saved the day, as it could've been nasty."

As it happened

The Mighty Don jumps the second-last alongside Coo Star Sivola and Sam Twiston-DaviesCredit: Racing TV

The Mighty Don gallops on alongside Coo Star Sivola as James Davies desperately tries to stay on boardCredit: Racing TV

Domaine De L'Isle (left) and Coo Star Sivola fight out the finishCredit: Racing TV

Skelton three ahead after double

That victory for Hughes reduced Harry Skelton's lead to three in the jump jockeys' championship, after the championship leader rode a double on the card.

Dan Skelton, who trained both winners, believes the title race is far from over even if Coral now make his brother a 1-8 chance to be crowned champion on April 24.

Faivoir (right): one of two winners on the day for Dan SkeltonCredit: Edward Whitaker

Skelton, responsible for winning favourites Faivoir and Proschema, said: "I'm loving it. He's my little brother and he's got a chance to be champion jockey, which is magic. We've got to keep working hard, making the right calls. He's got to do what he does and keep his head down.

"It's great but the worst hope is false hope, it's a competition till the end. There's a fierce competitor in Brian Hughes. He's got those three good days up at Perth where he's going to get winners. There's no point thinking you've won as you definitely haven't."

Many memories

Oliver Sherwood had his first Cheltenham winner since Many Clouds' courageous Cotswold Chase success in January 2017, when the National hero tragically died shortly after.

Jersey Bean ended the four-year drought for the stable with a front-running display to defeat the Skeltons' Accordingtogino by six and a half lengths.

Milestone

Liam Harrison rode out his 7lb claim with victory on Ask Dillon in the 2m7½f handicap hurdle. The win puts Fergal O'Brien two away from a century.

Feature success

The feature Ballymore Silver Trophy Handicap Chase went to Manofthemountain, an impressive Grade 2 winner for Emma Lavelle.

Results, replays and analysis

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