Shooters Wood kept on gamely for trainer Paul Nicholls and jockey Ruby Walsh to win the paddypower.com Handicap Chase at Cheltenham.

Walsh was always in the front rank on the eight-year-old (7-1) as Arctic Ben tried to make all, and he looked well in control as they rounded the turn at the top of the straight. French raider Wetak tried to go with him, but he pecked on landing at the second-last and it looked as though the battle was over.

Tom Scudamore switched Wetak to the inside and he ran on again, but Shooters Wood stayed on grimly to prevail by a length and a half. Silver Roque claimed third, while 9-2 joint-favourites Astracad and Kid Cassidy failed to make an impact.

Nicholls said: "This lad's run a blinder. Ruby said he probably should have won on him at Taunton the last day. It was the first time he'd sat on him and he said he should have saved a bit. Today I knew Ruby would ride him a bit differently and save a little bit for the hill and it was perfect.

"I think left-handed tracks suit him better. He looks an out-and-out two-miler and I'm not sure what we will do with him now."

Walsh added: "He's a good jumper and has loads of pace, which is what you need in a two-mile horse."

18 June 2013

Stevens is king of the Castle
O'Neill ace proves too sharp
Ballydoyle in command in Coventry
Dawn delivers in thriller
Sole powers to sprint glory
Al Thani snaps up Sandiva
O'Brien sounds War cry
Minute's silence remembers Cecil
Duntle on Cambridge duty
Alive and Just in Ribblesdale mix
Passage heads Gold field
Deegan considers Soprano options
Toro out for Palace glory
Cecil's words not lost on Ponsonby
Dawn out for Palace redemption
Hawkwood supplemented for Hardwicke
Flotilla To Drop Back In Trip
Cecil's Chigun in Cambridge action
Al Kazeem and Camelot clash again
De Kock hoping to make history
War ready for Royal Ascot battle
Kingdom set to reign over Ascot

17 June 2013

Magician set for Palace showdown
Cat clings on for Carroll
Three more winners for Lady Cecil
Monaghan delivers on Midnight
Treve in stunning Diane win
Sapphire target for Trees
Beckett mulls Secret options
Nicholls has broken wrist

16 June 2013

Songbird aiming to fly high
Movie has Newmarket on radar
Fahey juveniles primed for action
Stubbs leads O'Brien Coventry team
Salsify on summer break
Kempton target for Benbulben
Top trio head Palace runners
Shea Shea shoots for Stand glory
Animal heads Queen Anne field
Saint-Cloud aim for Dunaden
Magician to be declared for Palace
Soul all heart in York sprint
Kingsgate rules Musselburgh
Sam too sharp for rivals
Hughes makes it pay with Knight
Balding on mark with double
Morawij in a hurry in Scurry
Bartley is queen for a day
Big guns to clash in Coronation

15 June 2013

Marengo set for battle royal
Saddler's ready to rock - Oxx
Soprano primed to hit right notes
Balding receives OBE
Victory on a plate for Montaser
Magician run in the balance
Secret set to make Ascot stand
Probert return delayed
Nagle covers Maarek options
Ribblesdale chance for Lark
Walker hoping Guns will fire
Estimate in Royal Gold run