The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Put The Kettle Onbecomes champion at Cheltenham
Last year’s Arkle heroine Put The Kettle On beat the boys again in the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham yesterday.
A surprise winner at the festival 12 months ago, Henry de Bromhead’s mare had stretched her unbeaten record at the track to three on her first start of the current campaign in November.
But despite her excellent record in the Cotswolds, she looked to have her work cut out on her return, having proved no match for Chacun Pour Soi at Leopardstown over Christmas.
Put The Kettle On was in front for much of the contest, but looked booked for minor honours after 8-13 favourite Chacun Pour Soi hit the front approaching the final fence.
However, Aidan Coleman’s mount fought back on the run-in, devouring the hill once again to get up and score by half a length, becoming the first mare to win the two-mile showpiece.
Dan Skelton’s Nube Negra finished strongly to claim the runner-up spot from the Willie Mullinstrained Chacun Pour Soi.
Coleman said: “I jumped off to get a good start and wasn’t really sure where I’d sit as this was her biggest test, and I didn’t know if she’d be quick enough to be bang there.
“I don’t know what is about Cheltenham with her as this is the only place I’ve ridden her. As long as she can come here a couple of times a year and do the business we’re happy enough!
“If I could bottle what she has I wouldn’t have to ride again – I’d sell it, and be a rich man.”
Tiger Roll was an incredible winner at the festival for the fifth time when reclaiming his Glenfarclas Chase crown.
Having hitherto disappointed this season, it seemed the form that had seen him win back-to-back
Grand Nationals was in the past.
But back at his favourite track and sent off the 9-2 second-favourite behind his conqueror from last season, Easysland, he looked a lot younger than his 11 years skipping round the cross-country course to win by 18 lengths from the favourite.