Trainer David Pipe landed the concluding contest of The November Meeting, the Listed High Sheriff of Gloucestershire And Racing Remember Standard Open NHF Race courtesy of 16/1 shot Israel Champ.

Ridden by Tom Scudamore, the four-year-old son of Milan recorded a length and three-quarter victory over Nicky Henderson's 5/6 favourite Time Flies By in the extended two-mile contest.

Pond House handler Pipe said: "That was a good performance from Israel Champ. We put a tongue-tie on him today and that did make a difference.

"We targeted this event as it is usually a small-field contest and he was able to dominate which made a difference.

"He is a lovely, big horse and hopefully he is an exciting horse to look forward to.

"We've got a nice team of bumper horses."

ISRAEL PROVES A CHAMP

Israel Champ (16/1) made every yard when winning today's Listed High Sheriff Of Gloucestershire And Racing Remember Standard Open NHF Race by a length and three quarters.

The winner was trained by David Pipe for owners John White and Anne Underhill, whose Siruh Du Lac proved a disappointment when pulling-up in yesterday's G3 BetVictor Gold Cup Handicap Chase. Tom Scudamore did the steering and commented after the race: "We have always liked Israel Champ and he really disappointed us first time at Worcester last month. With the hood and tongue strap on today he showed us what we hoped he could.

"He is difficult to compare to our other good bumper horses, such as Keppage and Make Me A Believer who both won Flat races on debut at Chepstow recently, but he is right up there.

"It is exciting to have these promising young horses in the yard - it is like the good old days."

Results: 

High Sheriff of Gloucestershire And Racing Remember Standard Open NHF Race (Listed) 2m½f

1 ISRAEL CHAMP (John White & Anne Underhill) David Pipe 4-11-00 Tom Scudamore 16/1

2 Time Flies By (JP McManus) Nicky Henderson 4-11-00 Barry Geraghty 5/6f

3 Everglow (Phil Munnelly) Philip Hobbs 4-11-00 Richard Johnson 10/1

Time: 4m 19.14s

Distances: 1¾, 2¼

Tote Win: £17.00 Places: £3.80, £1.10, £1.90 Exacta: £27.60

STEWARDS' REPORTS

Race 1 - 12.45pm Cheltenham Club Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle - MC ALPINE (IRE) wore ear plugs and was given permission to be mounted on the chute. P. J. Rothwell was fined £140 as the record of vaccinations in the passport of MC ALPINE (IRE) did not comply with the Rules of Racing. An enquiry was held to consider interference shortly after the last hurdle when the winner, DUC DE BEAUCHENE (FR), ridden by Jonjo O'Neill Jr., interfered with OZZY THOMAS (IRE), placed second, ridden by Nathan Brennan. Being a 7lb claimer, Brennan was offered the opportunity to be accompanied in the enquiry, but declined. O'Neill Jr. was cautioned for careless riding as he allowed his mount to drift right-handed without sufficient correction causing Brennan to take a slight check. Following the race, Ned Curtis reported that MON PALOIS (FR), unplaced, hung left-handed.

Race 2 - 1:15pm Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase - URGENT DE GREGAINE (FR) wore ear plugs which were removed at the start and CHIC NAME (FR) was given permission to wear a hood in the Parade Ring. URGENT DE GREGAINE (FR), trained by Emmanuel Clayeux had arrived in the Parade Ring without cheekpieces, which were then located and fitted on the gelding before going to the start. After being interviewed, Clayeux was cautioned.Following the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that URGENT DE GREGAINE (FR), placed second, lost its left fore shoe, ROLLING DYLAN (IRE), placed fourth, lost its left hind shoe and that FACT OF THE MATTER (IRE), placed sixth, lost its right fore shoe.

Race 3 - 1:50pm G2 Racing Post #Responsiblegambling Arkle Trophy - AL DANCER (FR) wore ear plugs and PUT THE KETTLE ON (IRE) wore ear plugs and was given permission to be mounted on the chute.

Race 4 - 2:25pm G2 Shloer Chase - Permission was given for DEFI DU SEUIL (FR) to wear a hood in the Parade Ring. An enquiry was held to consider why Harry Whittington was running SAINT CALVADOS (FR) here at Cheltenham on going described as Soft, Heavy in places, having declared the gelding a non-runner at Cheltenham yesterday, 16 November 2019, on ground with the same official description. The trainer stated that he did not want to run the gelding over 2 ½ miles on the Soft, Heavy in places going and wanted to give the ground another day to dry further and improve. Having walked the track this morning, he was happy for SAINT CALVADOS (FR) to take its chances today on the Soft, Heavy in places going over a shorter trip.

Race 5 - 3:00pm G3 Unibet Greatwood Hurdle - MONSIEUR LECOQ (FR) wore ear plugs which were removed at the start and was given permission to go early to post. The winner, HARAMBE, appeared to show improved form compared with its previous run at Chepstow on 11 October 2019 where the gelding finished seventh of nine, beaten by 31 lengths. Alan King's representative's explanation that the gelding may have needed the previous run at Chepstow following a long break was noted. HARAMBE was routine tested. Following the race, Paddy Brennan reported that BENNY'S BRIDGE (IRE), unplaced, was never travelling and The Veterinary Officer reported that the gelding was lame on its left hind.