'He doesn't get the credit he deserves' - Greaneteen lands second Celebration

Saturday: Celebration Chase, Sandown

On the day when Paul Nicholls was officially crowned champion for a 13th time he produced one final masterful target-training performance of the season when Greaneteen flew back to form to repeat his bet365 Celebration Chase success.

Chris Giles's star had a question to answer on his first appearance since finishing last at the Dublin Racing Festival, where it transpired he sustained an ulcer on his eye that forced him to miss Cheltenham. He was treated – with an ulcer still to be removed on Monday – but Nicholls knew he was primed for action again and Sandown is the place where Greaneteen particularly thrives.

A red-hot Harry Cobden – fired up from wins on Knappers Hill and Saint Calvados – tracked stablemate Rouge Vif in the early stages but by the time Greaneteen and Cobden soared over the Railway fences they had developed a significant advantage over their four rivals.

Click here to watch the replay of the Celebration Chase

Nube Negra threatened and Harry Skelton positioned his contender for an effort over the Pond fence but the leader asserted again. With two more decisive jumps he sauntered clear, with Sceau Royal staying on to finish a 12-length second. A year on, Greaneteen was every bit as good.

"You try to get the horses right for these special days. I'm delighted," Nicholls reflected. "He goes an end-to-end gallop and keeps going. You've got to jump around here which he does really well and he stays on strong.

"Harry was really impressed with him and he just keeps on improving. He doesn't get the credit he deserves, he's a very smart horse on his day. He keeps winning and that's what you want in a good horse."

Minor surgery awaits Greaneteen next week as Nicholls already plots a route back to Sandown for the Tingle Creek in December.

Greaneteen and Harry Cobden leave Nube Negra behind in the Celebration ChaseCredit: Edward Whitaker

Nicholls explained: "Something hit into him and he had three weeks at the vets. He's going in on Monday to have surgery to remove an ulcer, which is minor but we have to get it done. We had to deal with that but we knew we had him ready."

The notable change from last season was the rider. Cobden replaced Bryony Frost on Greaneteen and it was the first time he had ridden the eight-year-old since the 2021 Champion Chase.

Nicholls' stable jockey said: "Last year I was sat at home watching this race with a broken cheek and a fractured hand, so it wasn't all that exciting. I'm appreciating these wins much more than when I was 18."

Skelton admitted Nube Negra has never "excelled" at Sandown but praise simply went to his former boss.

"We were under pressure going to the Pond fence and I'd like to have been on the bridle longer than that, but it's been a long season and I take my hat off to the winner," Skelton said.

"It's another masterful training performance from Paul to be fifth of five in Ireland 11 weeks ago and then do that – that's why he's so hard to beat."

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