Cheltenham Festival: Edwardstone wins the Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices’ Chase

Edwardstone completed a five-timer in running out an emphatic winner of the Sporting Life Arkle Trophy at Cheltenham.

The eight-year-old, ridden by Tom Cannon, powered away from the opposition on the run to the line to give trainer Alan King a third success in the two-mile novice championship after Voy Por Ustedes in 2006 and My Way De Solzen in 2007.

However, it was not straightforward for the 5-2 favourite, as he was almost brought down at the fourth fence when Brave Seasca fell, taking out Saint Sam.

Tom Cannon celebrates after riding Edwardstone to glory at Cheltenham Festival on Tuesday

Then at the second-last Edwardstone collided with the leader Riviere D’etel, but was soon on an even keel. He showed his superiority from there by pulling clear to score by four and a quarter lengths from Gabynako. Blue Lord was three and a half lengths away in third place.

Cannon said: ‘I had a couple of hairy moments, but other than that I had a dream run round, jumping fence to fence. 

‘I’m just delighted, I’ve got a better relationship with him than I have with any human being, put it that way!

‘He wears his heart on his sleeve, he jumps well, goes out and does his thing.’