My Mate Mozzie might have let his supporters down when fluffing his lines on his debut over fences but read the script to perfection when appearing a class above his three rivals in the squareintheair.com Novices’ Chase on day one of The Showcase at Cheltenham today.

Having been turned over by a 50-1 chance on his chasing debut at Fairyhouse earlier this month the Gavin Cromwell-trained Grade Three-winning hurdler made amends with an effortless looking success in the two-mile contest under Keith Donoghue. 

Sitting in third for much the race the 4-7 Favourite, despite jumping out to his right on the odd occasion, breezed into contention on the run down to the final fence to throw down his challenge. 

Delivered between Al Zaraqaan and long-time leader Jetronic after jumping the last the odds-on market leader barely needed to come out of second gear to move clear of both rivals before passing the post with three lengths in hand. 

Cromwell said: “It was good. He jumped out a little bit to his right, and he made a couple of little novicey mistakes, but I’m happy with the result anyway. 

“He arrives into all of his races travelling very well, and he has got beaten odds on in running trading very short on a few occasions, but thankfully he didn’t today. 

“On ratings he should have won at Fairyhouse no matter what way you rode him, but I think he really needs to be ridden to arrive late on and he probably only just barely sees out the two miles.”

Assessing future plans Cromwell did not rule out bringing the Born To Sea gelding back to Cheltenham next month for the Grade Two SSS Super Alloys Arkle Challenge Trophy Trial Novices’ Chase on November 17th should the ground be suitable. 

Cromwell added: “He could possibly come back here for the Arkle Trial next month, but it will all be ground permitting. I don’t think you would run him on too softer ground. We will give him a little break in the middle of the season then bring him back in the spring. 

“Leopardstown at Christmas is probably the only time we will get nice ground, but the timing of it is not great. We are just happy with that result today and we will go back and have a look at things.  

“He will have to get another bit of experience along the way somewhere and step forward plenty from that to be competitive at the Cheltenham Festival, but we wouldn’t rule it out.

“It does take some doing around here so winning today is a tick in the right box.”