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/ Timeform / 15 March 2012 / Leave a Comment 
Sir Des Champs was victorious in the Jewson.
"He was very good and I'm really looking forward to next year over longer trips..."
Sir Des Champs maintained his unbeaten record for Willie Mullins with a clear-cut victory in the Jewson Novices' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival...
The six-year-old, ridden by Davy Russell, shrugged off the attentions of Champion Court after the last to bound clear for a convincing four-and-a-half-length success.
For Non Stop was another nine lengths back in third, while fancied runners Peddlers Cross and Cristal Bonus were both disappointing as Sir Des Champs proved a classy winner.
Champion Court and Zaynar took the field along in turns, with Micheal Flips close up and Sir Des Champs not too far away.
Cristal Bonus was soon struggling, while Peddlers Cross lost a good early pitch and a couple of mistakes saw him lose further ground.
Champion Court went on at the 11th fence, but Mullins' representative followed his move and they battled it out over the last couple of fences.
The Irish raider then showed his superiority to score in tremendous style for owners Gigginstown House Stud, the racing establishment of Michael O'Leary.
Winning jockey Russell said: "He's a very good horse.
"A lot of the credit should go to Aaron Madden who absolutely adores this horse, and since the first day he landed he's looked after him and he's done such a wonderful job.
"He jumped every fence, he never missed a beat."
Owner Michael O'Leary said: "It was a wonderful ride by Davy.
"We've been hitting the crossbar all week so it's great to finally stick one in the net.
"It's hard to know what you've got until you get here. Willie brought him along slowly and probably thought he wanted a lot further - he could have run in the other race (RSA Chase).
"We went close in that with First Lieutenant but we've won this."
Mullins said: "He was very good and I'm really looking forward to next year over longer trips.
"He was foot-perfect. Davy asked him plenty of questions and he came up every time.
"Davy rode him with great confidence. A good pace and plenty of jumping will suit him best."
The 2013 Gold Cup market is just beginning to take shape, featurning the likes of Sir Des Champs and Bobs Worth alongside Long Run and Grands Crus.
There's a trial for the Kentucky Derby (May 5) at Oaklawn Park on Saturday in the shape of the Rebel Stakes, in which TVG's latest feature star Scatman is set to go close....
An impressive line up of three-year-olds is set to do battle in Saturday's Group 1 Randwick Guineas (off 05:20 GMT), the first group one for their age group during the Sydney Autumn Carnival writes Timeform Australia's Gary Crispe....
TVG's Simon Bray takes a look at the main contenders for this weekend's Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park, often a key trial for the Kentucky Derby on May 5......
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