Happy Hales heads for festival

Neptune Collonges will be heading for the Punchestown Festival after playing his part in an historic totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup.

The giant grey finished third behind Denman and Kauto Star and provided trainer Paul Nicholls with a 1-2-3 yesterday - and that run delighted owner, Shropshire businessman John Hales.

In what Nicholls described as "a career best performance", Neptune Collonges was never out of the first three during the eagerly-anticipated feature race, and Cosford-based Hales was full of praise for big-race jockey Mick Fitzgerald.

"We were totally exonerated in getting Mick to ride, he's a true professional and got the horse in a perfect rhythm, jumping from fence to fence beautifully," said Hales.

"He's a very, very good horse and played a wonderful part in the race, he helped make the running.

"Our plan was to come here and win.

"Everybody was going on about the front two and the papers never gave us a mention, but we finished a short-head off Kauto Star so only that far from splitting the first two.

"It's all thanks to Fitzy to do that on a track that is not ideally suitable for him. He'll once again go to Punchestown now."

But while Hales had to be content with third place, another Shropshire owner, Brendan Richardson from Tong, saw his colours carried to victory in the David Nicholson Mares' Only Hurdle by Whiteoak in a remarkable race.

Jason Maguire looked to have the race in his keeping until he was caught by Refinement. But Whiteoak battled back in the shadow of the winning post to land the race at 20-1.

Cholmondeley trainer Donald McCain said: "I've always thought a lot of her and she probably got there too soon because she just does enough in front, although today she got there and went again.

"I thought Refinement was going to get there and would have been a little disappointed, but she was unbelievable and came again

"Her form was there, she was just beaten by Tazbar - the best novice in there - and when she won at Ascot everyone said the southern horses hadn't run to form which was frustrating.

"If I'd done my job properly she'd be unbeaten this season."

Denman is already even-money favourite with sponsors totesport to land the Gold Cup next year.