Blaklion stayed on in tremendous style up the Cheltenham hill to deny Shaneshill in the RSA Chase.
Nigel Twiston-Davies‘ novice was given a fine ride by Ryan Hatch and, after jumping the last in a lose-up fourth position, he powered up the hill to leave Shaneshill having to settle for second at the third consecutive Cheltenham Festival.
The favourite More Of That was back in third, with fellow fancied runner No More Heroes in fourth after a race in which five were separated by little more than a length jumping the second last.
Dipper Novices’ Chase winner Seeyouatmidnight, who beat Blaklion in that race on New Year’s Day, was allowed to dictate matters through the first circuit, where Vyta Du Roc reached for the third fence and More Of That was slow at the first ditch.
Roi Des Francs joined Seeyouatmidnight in the firing line in the home straight for the first time, as Shaneshill briefly seemed a little detached from the field down the far side.
Le Mercurey was the first to fold coming down the hill as No More Heroes jumped into the lead three out as challengers loomed all around.
Blaklion was fifth at the second last as Hatch went for a gap and, as four jumped the final fence still in with a shout, it briefly looked as though Shaneshill would end his run of near misses.
However, despite Shaneshill battling valiantly all the way to the line, Blaklion found plenty for pressure for Hatch to win by half-a-length, with eight lengths back to More Of That.
