Leading Arkle Trophy contender Fago saw his Cheltenham Festival aspirations dealt a huge blow as he suffered a comprehensive defeat in the Kilbrittain Castle Novices' Chase at Sandown.

An impressive winner on his British debut and first start for Paul Nicholls at Newbury in mid-January, the five-year-old then fell at the second-last when looking the likely winner of the Kingmaker Novices' Chase at Warwick.

Sent off the 2-5 favourite, he was settled last of three by Ruby Walsh and appeared to be moving into contention nicely jumping the Railway fences, but could not bridge the gap when Tony McCoy kicked for home on 7-2 shot Kapga De Cerisy, who scored by 15 lengths despite making a mess of the final fence.

Winning trainer Venetia Williams said: "I put him in everything at Cheltenham and he'll go for one of the handicaps. Hopefully the proximity of the third horse means the handicapper won't overreact. I was worried the ground was different to how it has been for much of the season, but it didn't seem to matter."

Walsh said of Fago: "He rode like a horse who was coming off the end of a long season. He had a long year in France", while Nicholls later confirmed via twitter: "Fago will miss Cheltenham and we will try and get back to best for Aintree."

McCoy had earlier helped David Pipe's Shotavodka (4-7 favourite) to a facile success in the Chris Bakers' 40th Birthday 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle.

Olympian Boy (7-1) was given a ride as icy-cool as the Surrey weather by Paul Moloney in the John Ratcliffe Retirement Handicap Chase.

Christian Leech, part-owner and assistant trainer to his wife Sophie, said: "He has won four times for us now and ran very well here last time behind Shangani, who has franked the form since. He is nine, but could be able to cope with a slight step up in grade and he might come back here on March 9."

Thundering Home (7-1) did exactly that when coming from a mile off the pace in the February Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle, with Goring One (16-1) also finishing strongly under a power-packed Andrew Thornton to take the Eric's Charm Handicap Chase for trainer Anna Newton-Smith.

Jamie Moore and Be All Man (7-2) pipped McCoy and 3-1 favourite Leader Of The Gang in the David Lindon & Co Handicap Hurdle. The jockey's father, trainer Gary Moore, said with a smile: "He says he would have won on either horse!"

13 May 2013

Fabre confirms Ocovango for Epsom
Aspect on route to big things
Room at the top for Cityscape
Freedom steps into chasing ranks
Lucky thirteen in line for Lockinge
Galway beckons for Swinton hero
Sajjhaa set for late return
Cadeaux thriving in Singapore
Pink primed for Duke Of York
Liber takes aim at Musidora
Battle won for O'Brien
Pretending the real deal
Duntle back to winning ways
Classic glory for Flotilla
Style wins the day in Paris
Highclere double-handed for Dante
Cornerstone plans up in the air
Beckett planning Gesture workout

12 May 2013

No hurry for Jammy plans
Guest in hunt for more Ascot glory
Vow set for Goodwood return
Gold-en boy Anodin in Classic hunt
Buick aiming for French strike
Angel flies home to land Chartwell
Barizan bounces back in style
Queally lights up Ascot meeting
Ektihaam storms to Buckhounds win
Nevis takes depleted Trial contest
Hard-fought battle won at Haydock
Secret impresses in Oaks Trial
Ascot drama for Fanning

11 May 2013

Felix foot-perfect on fencing debut
Cavalryman leads Cup charge
Ramsa ready to stand Trial
Duntle out to dazzle in Amethyst
Swift return doesn't bother Moran
Garman gives Bolger hope
Henderson: Ground vital for Voice
McMahon sweet on Tart Ascot claims
Murphy to move to France
Athos flies to Ormonde glory
Dee day for impressive Magician
Kingdom confirmed for Queen Anne
Secret's out for Lingfield glory
Lambe expects good run from Hall
Marengo ready to do battle
Greatwood on trial at Lingfield
Barizan sneaks into Swinton
Jamesie gunning for Vic-tory

10 May 2013

Telescope focus is on Dante
Blinkers considered for Guarantee#
Bonfire camp bemoan Huxley flop
Moohaajim has six appeal
Ascot welcomes a couple of Guests