Joe Lively battles back at Cheltenham

Jan 25 2009 By Rockavon

JOE LIVELY had to live up to his name to land the Letheby and Christopher chase at Cheltenham.

The 11-1 shot had made most up to the second last where he was passed by Halcon Genelardais.

The 5-2 jolly looked home and hosed in the £57,000 staying event as he headed for the line.

But Joe Tizzard (left) conjured another supreme effort from the Lively one and he eventually got home by just under three lengths.

The Cleeve Hurdle produced a thrilling finish with Paul Nicholl's well backed 7-2 chance Big Buck's getting the better of odds-on Punchestowns and Fair Along in the dash for the line.

Walkon stayed on strongly to land the juvenile novices' hurdle in workmanlike fashion. Alan King's charge is now 5-1 from sixes for the Triumph.

Nicholls also landed Donny's featured Skybet chase with Big Fella Thanks (9-2) who strolled home under a patient ride by Christian Williams.