There was joy, relief, and a touch of redemption at Cheltenham on Saturday as Three Card Brag delivered a commanding display to claim the £100,000 William Hill Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap Chase, the feature contest on day two of The William Hill Showcase.
For owner Max McNeill, it was a moment to savour—victory at his beloved Cheltenham with a horse he has long believed to be “nearly Graded class.” The 6-1 shot, trained in Ireland by Gordon Elliott and ridden by Jack Kennedy, travelled sweetly throughout the three-mile-and-a-furlong trip before asserting in the closing stages to win by two and three-quarter lengths from fellow Irish raider Backmersackme (13-2).
“He’s a proper horse,” McNeill smiled afterward. “I thought he was a bit high in the weights, but Jack gave him a brilliant ride. This win feels special—Cheltenham means everything to us National Hunt fans.”
McNeill, who also serves on Cheltenham’s racecourse committee, praised the atmosphere on course. “There were over 20,000 here today, including 6,000 students—it’s where you want to have winners,” he said.
Three Card Brag gives Kennedy redemption
For jockey Jack Kennedy, this win held deeper meaning. The Irishman spent much of last season sidelined by injury—ironically sustained on one of McNeill’s horses. Saturday’s result offered fitting payback. Kennedy’s patient ride saw Three Card Brag stalk the pace before cruising to the front, idling a touch late but always doing enough to hold on.
Elliott was full of praise for both horse and rider: “Jack gave him a confident ride. We’ve always felt Three Card Brag had the engine, and this was a lovely way to start his season.”
Rising stars impress on supporting card
In the Play William Hill’s Final One Standing Novices’ Hurdle, Conman John (4-1) extended his unbeaten hurdle record under Derek Fox for Lucinda Russell and Michael Scudamore. The five-year-old travelled with authority and found more when asked, scoring by three lengths.
Russell, delighted with the gelding’s attitude, hinted at bigger plans: “He’s such a trier. We’ll work back from the Albert Bartlett at The Festival after that.”
The Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle Qualifier went to Ma Shantou (18-5F), trained by Emma Lavelle and ridden by Harry Cobden. Always travelling strongly, he surged clear to win by two and three-quarter lengths and is now a live contender for the Pertemps Final in March.
“He’s smashing—straightforward and improving,” Lavelle said. “I think we’re on the right trajectory.”
Irish open the account and Honeyball lands a promising chase
Ireland struck early on day two when Zurich (10-1) landed the opening William Hill Each Way Extra Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase for Henry de Bromhead and Darragh O’Keeffe. The Pimlico Racing Ireland syndicate celebrated its first Cheltenham winner with de Bromhead, who said, “He jumped superbly bar one mistake, and the step up in trip suited perfectly.”
Later, Leave Of Absence (9-2) produced a polished display in the William Hill Extra Places With BOG ‘Chasing Excellence’ Novices’ Chase, giving Anthony Honeyball and Rex Dingle another reason to dream big. The trainer hinted at a tilt at the Coral Gold Cup next month after the gelding stayed on resolutely to defeat Pied Piper by two and a half lengths.
“He’s well-balanced and handled Cheltenham’s undulations beautifully,” Honeyball noted. “The Coral Gold Cup could be on the radar.”
Other Cheltenham Showcase winners
Elsewhere, Give It To Me Oj (4-9F) justified favouritism in the Masterson Holdings Hurdle for Gary and Josh Moore, while the Oddschecker Open National Hunt Flat Race closed the meeting with victory for Chicker (7-2), trained by Fergal O’Brien and ridden by Jonathan Burke.
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