Special Tiara Claims Champion Chase Glory As Douvan Disappoints
Special Tiara was a narrow winner of the Queen Mother Champion Chase, as he fought off Fox Norton in a tremendous finish, but it was a shock result with previously unbeaten superstar Douvan failing to land any sort of blow in this Grade 1 event.
All eyes had been on Douvan, who was looking to hand Willie Mullins his first win at this year's Cheltenham Festival, but he was producing some sketchy jumps in the early part of the race, and turning for home he was out of contention.
However, it was the front-running Special Tiara that was flying along on the speed, but he had several contenders chasing him down the hill with God's Own, Sir Valentino and Fox Norton all looking lively dangers for the Henry de Bromhead-trained star.
God's Own made a bad mistake, and Sir Valentino struggled in the closing stages, so it was left for Special Tiara and Fox Norton to fight it out up the straight, and it was the former that held off his rival to land the prize in what will be a race that lives long in the memory.
15:30 Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase (Grade 1)
1.Special Tiara - H De Bromhead - N Fehily - 11/1
2.Fox Norton - C Tizzard - A Coleman - 7/1
3.Sir Valentino - T George - P Brennan - 33/1
10 Ran
