The exciting novice Tiutchev firmly nailed his Queen Mother Champion Chase aspirations to the wall today when outwitting the gallant Frozen Groom to win the Grade 1 Swordlestown Cup Novice Chase at Punchestown.
Nicky Henderson, who over the years has enjoyed a tremendous record at this festival, admitted that Tiutchev was 'probably not as sharp as when he won at Cheltenham.'
But after a slight mistake at the last, the Arkle winner extended his stride and gave punters a brief glimpse of the turn of foot that saw him annihilate the field at Cheltenham.
Mick Fitzgerald settled the impressive novice in the pack steadily tracking the free running Frozen Groom down the back straight.
Frozen Groom, who led the Arkle field before crashing out at the third last, was let fly at the fourth last, allowing Paul Carberry steal a two length advantage over the chasing pack.
Frozen Groom crashed through the third last allowing Mick Fiztgerald range upsides on Tiutchev. The Arkle winner looked to have matters in hand but Frozen Groom was to rally back and make it a battle to the last.
Lengths clear of the four challengers, the two leaders jumped the last neck and neck. Neither jumped fluently, with Frozen Groom almost shooting Paul Carberry from his saddle. But Tiutchev showed his class and powered away on the short run in to record a sweet six length victory.
'In the days leading up to the race we worried about him but the ground proved quick enough today,' said Henderson.
'He has had a smashing start to his novice campaign and hopefully he is a Champion Chaser in the making,' continued the delighted trainer.
Nigel Twiston-Davies appeared bullish about the long term prospects of preparing Rubhahunish for next year's Stayers Hurdle at Cheltenham after a change of race tactics provided the English based trainer with a Grade 1 success in the Ballymore Properties Barretstown Gang Camp Champion Stayers Hurdle.
Not usually a front runner, Carl Llewellyn's mount took up the running at the third flight and held that position, despite tired challenges from the disappointing Bacchanal and Effectual, to the winning line.
Rubhahunish has now won four times this season. This year's Stayers Hurdle winner Bacchanal never got on terms with the winner at faded in the closing stages to finish 16 lengths of the pace in fifth.
Effectual and Lady Rebecca failed to reproduce anything like their best form but stayed on best to finish to second and third respectively.
'He won really good and he appeared to stretch his advantage at every hurdle,' said Twiston-Davies.
He added: 'It seemed to suit him making the pace, these are different race tactics than we usually apply but they seemed to have paid off.'
