CHAMPION jockey Richard Johnson steered Native River to victory in the 60th running of the £200,000 Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury on Saturday.
It was a first success in the Grade Three handicap chase, staged over three and a quarter miles, for both trainer Colin Tizzard and Johnson, who was was riding in the race for the 13th time.
It was a day to remember at Newbury for the Colin Tizzard team, with a magnificent 26.8/1 treble.
Native River was always in a prominent position and took up the running from Double Ross (Nigel Twiston-Davies/Jamie Bargary, 50/1) approaching the last.
He then had to face a late challenge on the run-in from the strongly-finishing Carole’s Destrier (Neil Mulholland/Noel Fehily, 25/1) but held on to score by half a length in a thrilling finish with Double Ross a further five lengths back in third.
Earlier, Thistlecrack (Colin Tizzard/Tom Scudamore, 1/8 fav) made it three from three over fences with a superb display in the Grade Two bet365 Novices’ Chase over just short of three miles.
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