Mouse Morris made another successful raid to Britain as Foxy Jacks claimed the Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase at Cheltenham on Friday.
Morris has already struck on British shores this term with Gentlemansgame in the Charlie Hall, and his nine-year-old produced a superb round of jumping in the hands of Gavin Brouder to hold off Dan Skelton's Latenightpass in a thrilling finish.
The trainer is of course no stranger to success at Prestbury Park, but was delighted with his charge who provided him with his first winner at the track since First Lieutenant struck at the Festival in 2011.
"It was very tenacious, he’s not simple but got a great ride, he jumped super," said Morris of the 9-1 scorer.
"I thought he was in great shape coming here, but there are 30 fences to jump and jumping is not what he is noted for. These sort of races change his mind a little.
"It was his first time over the banks and I couldn’t be happier. There are a lot of days he hasn’t delivered which makes these days good.
"He has been running well this year, he won the Midlands National and was third in the Kerry National, so something has happened to him.
"I don’t think weight matters to this fella, it is just getting him on his day. He belongs to great people who love the craic and we will go where we can have some fun."
Gordon Elliott’s pair of Delta Work and Galvin fought out the finish of the cross country at the Cheltenham Festival in the spring but finished down the field in their return to action.
Homme Public (13-2) ensured Henry Brooke could celebrate his first ever victory at Cheltenham in the SSS Super Alloys Arkle Challenge Trophy Trial Novices' Chase but he was fortunate to do so.
The favourite JPR One looked to have done everything right the whole way round as Brendan Powell set a scorching gallop.
Coming down the hill before the turn for home, it possibly looked like he had gone too fast as the three other runners all closed up, including Homme Public.
However, Powell had saved plenty on Joe Tizzard’s six-year-old and no sooner had he given the others a sniff had he shot clear again and seemingly put the race to bed.
He cleared the second last in style and with just one fence left to negotiate, it appeared the UK had a rock-solid contender for Arkle glory but, as many before him have found, the last at Cheltenham takes some jumping and he landed too steeply, giving Powell no chance.
Suddenly Homme Public, having looked booked for second, was left in front and while Petit Tonnerre gave him a fright, he won by two lengths.
Homme Public is trained by Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero, who have made a fantastic start to the season and won the Grand Sefton last weekend with Gesskille.
"If anything, he didn’t love the ground today. He just never really took the bit like he would normally," said Brooke.
"His jumping was very good and Brendan went a nice gallop out in front. I came to join him but Brendan slipped away down to two out. I’ve missed both two out and the last, but he’s very good, he’s nimble on his feet, he knows where his feet are.
"Brendan’s misfortune has maybe been my luck today, but I was just saying he’s had a harsh fall but he could be a lot worse. They are both OK and they live to fight another day and that’s the main thing. There are people in worse circumstances right now and we’ve got to think about them."
Minella Missile (22-1) dented some lofty reputations in the Trustatrader Novices' Hurdle for Evan Williams at Cheltenham.
The point-to-point winner had caused a shock when scoring on his hurdling debut from a Paul Nicholls-trained favourite at Chepstow and he repeated the feat here – but this time at Grade Two level at an even bigger price.
The five-year-old looked up against with Nicholls’ Captain Teague and several Irish-trained runners appearing to hold stronger claims. However, Adam Wedge moved within his comfort zone for much of the race, despite sitting well off the pace.
Harry Cobden had Captain Teague close to Kinbara up front, but did put in a couple of noticeably novicey leaps.
He was still in the box seat turning for home, but The Big Doyen had tracked him while Wedge charted the inside route on Minella Missile.
All three had a chance on jumping the last, and it was the Williams runner who found most to win by a length and a half from the favourite with The Big Doyen a further half-length away.
"He’s just one of them you know, he quickens and is very laid back," said Williams
"You can drop him in and I love a horse you can drop in and then quickens. There’s not many of them that get there in two strides and he can do that.
"It’s the trainer why he is the price he is, nothing to do with the horse. It’s the trainer, not the horse.
"Talk is talk and it’s November. The men in March don’t talk they just turn up don’t they. We’re under no illusions and he has won his good race. He’s a brother to a horse who I think is a good horse in Monbeg Genius and his future will be over fences somewhere down the line.
"I just think in these novice hurdles, a step up in trip wouldn’t be a problem and he quickens."
