Pipe seven-year-old romps home

The David Pipe-trained second-top weight Tamarinbleu (Epervier Bleu - Tamainia) won the Grade Three Boylesports Gold Cup over 2m 5f at Cheltenham on Saturday, making virtually all the running under Denis O'Regan to beat Le Volfoni into second, with Patman Du Charmil third. Faasel ran on well for fourth, having looked outpaced early on the second circuit.

The first three home were not only all French bred, but were all their trainers' second strings inthe race - Abragante (Pipe) was pulled up, whilst New Little Bric (Nicholls) and Knowhere (Twiston-Davies) failed to land a blow.

Tamarinbleu set a searching gallop as he jumped impressively before powering up the hill to score at odds of 22-1.

David Pipe said after the race: "It was a big ask as he had a lot of weight, but the drier ground helped and he always runs well fresh.

"This fellow has been in great form at home and the blinkers have freshened him up on his last three runs.

"He's still only seven and has been a real star for the owners who had Beau Ranger with my father."

Franchoek beaten in Novice Hurdle

The opening Juvenile Novice Hurdle saw Alan King's Franchoek sent off the prohibitively-priced 1-3 favourite following his thrilling win here last season, but Gordon Elliot's Harper Valley (Val Royal - Dry Lightning) came with a perfectly timed run under Tony McCoy to collar the long-time leader and go on to win by a length and a half.

Franchoek is now owned by J.P. Mc Manus - McCoy's retaining owner - and remains favourite for the Triumph Hurdle, with Alan King saying: "Choc (Robert Thornton) said he felt he could have done with some more help up front.

"I still think he's good and he could come back here in January or run in the Finale at Chepstow."