Captain Teague bounces back to deny Tutti Quanti

Captain Teague haunted former trainer Paul Nicholls as he spoiled Tutti Quanti’s chase debut to land the Listed Adept GRP Cabinets Novices’ Chase at Ffos Las.

Now at Dan Skelton’s Lodge Hill yard, the eight-year-old put his previous experience over fences to good use to come out on top in the battle with his ex-stablemate by a length and a half.

Tutti Quanti had taken up the running and opened up a huge advantage at the halfway stage before Captain Teague (7-2), a Grade One-winning novice hurdler, reeled in his younger rival, jumping the final obstacle alongside before powering to the line to complete a double on the day for Skelton.

“I am very surprised by that, I obviously don’t know that much about him,” Skelton admitted.

“I thought he ran acceptably, but I think that the dynamic of the race has favoured us. I thought it was a good race, I thought the front two were pretty talented animals.

“I’ve just inherited him, but I think going forward, what I learned today was perhaps he will go three miles and this ground isn’t a problem.”

Sinnatra (9-4) had earlier put Skelton’s fitness doubts to one side when a cosily winner of the JCP Solicitors Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase.

The six-year-old remained on the bridle as he eased in front before the last fence, showcasing his fluent jumping as he claimed a convincing seven-and-a-half length victory.

Sinnatra has been shortened to 25-1 (from 50s) by Paddy Power for the Arkle Chase at the Cheltenham Festival following a performance which stunned his Alcester-based handler.

“I was absolutely blown away,” Skelton told Sky Sports Racing. “I think he’ll improve a lot for that run.

“I think we have to upgrade the performance really. It’s the middle of October, there’s a long way to go for all the big stuff, but it’s a lovely start.

“I’ll probably find him another standard (handicap) and then probably look at the Henry VIII, something like that.”

However, there was to be no winning debut for another of Skelton’s summer switchers Il Est Francais in the Faucets Handicap Chase as first prize went the way of Gavin Sheehan and Jamie Snowden with 4-1 chance Torneo.

Elsewhere on the card, Rebecca Curtis fittingly secured a one-three with her first two runners since May in the RWK Goodman Veterans’ Handicap Chase at the west Wales venue.

The Boola Boss (5-1) powered to a three-length success over Debra Hamer’s Hold Your Fort, but it was Fanion d’Estruval in third who caught the eye on his first start since the Ultima Handicap at Prestbury Park in March 2023 when with Venetia Williams.

Curtis said about the latter: “I’m delighted for his owner David Wilson because he absolutely adores the horse. He was practically written off by the vets, but I said I’d give him a go and he’s been a gem to train.”