Benatar hits high note

BENATAR fought off Finian’s Oscar in a thriller for the Grade 2 Mitie Noel Novices’ Chase at Ascot yesterday.

After watching his five-year-old (above) get the better of a sustained duel by a short head, trainer Gary Moore said: “He has really stuck his neck out, and he wanted to win.

Bookmakers reacted by cutting Benatar for the JLT Novices’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March to 10-1 from 16s. Colin Tizzard’s Finian’s Oscar is out to 12-1 for the same race.