Steve Gollings’ Royal Shakespeare, winner of last year’s Order of Merit, found a tough contestant in Twist Magic in the Para Dressage Training Trust Novices’ Chase at Fakenham.

Paul Nicholls’ horse was ridden by Ruby Walsh and passed the post with 24 lengths to spare from Royal Shakespeare. “I thought I was going to get a lead, but he took off with me after the first and I thought there was no point in slowing him down,” Walsh said. “I was very happy with him.”

Herecomestanley had a brilliant performance and hit the East Anglia Handicap Chase. “I'm just so pleased for the horse. He loves it round here and copes so well with the turns,” trainer Milton Harris said. “There were some good horses in the race, but we knew he would handle the track.”