At The Races

Bleu bags Foxhunter spoils

Cappa Bleu advertised his potential with a fine performance in the Christie's Foxhunter Chase at Cheltenham.

In a race widely regarded as the amateurs' Gold Cup, the Sheila Crow-trained seven-year-old was sent off the 11-2 second-favourite after arriving unbeaten in point-to-points this season.

His participation had been in some doubt because of his failure to compete under Rules due to the adverse weather but, ridden by Richard Burton, he was never far from the pace and although Turthen emerged as a real threat at the last along with long-time leader Baby Run, Cappa Bleu powered up the hill to win by 12 lengths.

Crowe said: "I'm absolutely thrilled, it's a lifetime ambition to win this race. Richard is a very good rider and did everything right on him. He's a very uncomplicated horse, he's happy at home and happy in whatever he does.

"He's a very exciting horse to have, he's only seven. We bought him privately out of the Irish pointing field, we were told about him and went over and bought him. We got lucky! With luck he may be a Gold Cup horse in time."

Burton added: "I was worried about getting there too early but he was always going so well. After getting there so easy though he didn't want to go after the last but he knuckled down eventually. Normally sitting on a horse you feel nervous but this fellow just exudes confidence.

"He's a very special horse. It was such a good effort and I'm a bit tired. He found plenty and stayed on well."

Trainer Charles Fox said of the runner-up: "I think he just couldn't get up the hill but I'm thrilled to bits and I think it was a good horse that beat him. I'm usually too nervous to take them to Aintree but he's been over those fences before and the way he jumped today I would be tempted."