Matata relishes return to longer trip at Cheltenham

Matata could have earned a shot at the Ryanair Chase after an emphatic victory in the Betfair Exchange Handicap Chase at Cheltenham.

Nigel and Willy Twiston-Davies’ eight-year-old has been plying his trade over shorter of late, but relished the return to two and a half miles in the valuable New Year’s Day event, travelling stylishly throughout in the hands of Sam Twiston-Davies.

The lung-busting Cheltenham hill has previously proved a cruel mistress for the Simon Munir and Isaac Souede-owned runner, but it proved no obstacle this time around as he scooted nine and a half lengths clear of Paul Nicholls’ Il Ridoto in the closing stages.

It was a performance which delighted his team who are now inclined to aim high, with a trip to both the Cheltenham Festival and Aintree in the spring on the cards for the 6-1 scorer.

Nigel Twiston-Davies said: “He has never been at his best round Cheltenham because he has always been so free and then has never managed to get up the hill. He’s learned to settle and got the two and a half miles well today.

“Sam did a brilliant job settling him as he’s still a lunatic at home, but he was cantering at the bottom of the hill and then it was a question of if he would come up it, which he did, which was lovely.

“We’ve been wanting to go this distance for a long time and the fact he settled so beautifully was great.

“I guess we have to think about the Ryanair again after that, but we’ll see what the handicapper does. He could do both Cheltenham and Aintree and he’s a tough horse, he would be a lovely horse to have in the Ryanair.”

Paddy Power make Matata a 33-1 chance for the Ryanair, with his success proving a landmark moment for Willy Twiston-Davies.

It was the first time the father-and-son training team had enjoyed a winner together at their local stomping ground, with the younger Twiston-Davies delighted to break his duck.

He added: “That is very special and he’s a very talented horse who has been crying out for a step up in trip. However, you look at those opportunities at the shorter trips and try to take them.

“I’ve been on the licence for only this season and nothing has really changed, but I thought when we have been coming here this season with the likes of Un Sens A La Vie and some other favourites and they’ve got beat, I was beginning to wonder if I was a curse. It’s so nice to have one on the board.”