FOLLOWING Thistlecrack’s odds-on victory, Viconte Du Noyer (20-1) won a dramatic race in the BetVictor Handicap Chase to complete a quick double for the Colin Tizzard stable at Cheltenham.

Le Reve, who unseated Nico de Boinville at the second fence when sharing the lead with Shotgun Paddy, caused mayhem at the fence in front of the stands on the second circuit.

He went straight across the obstacle, causing a pile-up with the well-fancied Cogry, Racing Pulse and Midnight Prayer the casualties.

Shotgun Paddy and Any Currency carried on with pace-making duties but the three-mile-three-and-a-half-furlong distance took some getting.

Sausalito Sunrise made a game bid to repeat last year’s victory but had nothing left in the tank from two out.

Harry Cobden brought Viconte Du Noyer with a strong run to claim the spoils in a hard-fought finish.

Warrantor was a length away in second with Minella Rocco a head back in third and Fourth Act was fourth.

Tizzard said: “Running him in this race was quite brave. Tom Scudamore rode him work a few days ago and said he was a two-miler, so we thought we may have him in the wrong race.

“I said halfway round, if he stays he wins.

“We were lucky we missed the carnage. Things like that happen.

“Every winner is important. Ann and Alan (Potts) have spent a fortune on horses.

“They want Cheltenham horses and that’s why we entered a lot here this weekend and they were fit and ready to run.

“He might be a Grand National horse, but at this stage he might be anything.”

Viconte Du Noyer was quoted at 40-1 with Paddy Power for the Grand National.

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