Nicanor (left) swoops past Denman.

By PA Sport Staff

Noel Meade returned to the number one spot in the Cheltenham Festival winner's enclosure for only the second time when Nicanor lowered the colours of Denman in the Royal & SunAlliance Novices' Hurdle.

Six years have elapsed since Ireland's leading trainer landed the Supreme Novices' Hurdle with Sausalito Bay, and the County Meath handler could barely hide his delight after Nicanor landed the opener on day two of the meeting.

Paul Nicholls' previously unbeaten Grade One winner Denman was viewed by many as the banker of the week and was duly sent off the 11-10 favourite.

But it was Meade's 17-2 chance that careered away after the last to hand out a two-and-a-half-length defeat.

"When they were coming round the corner I thought we were going to be first and second," said Meade, referring to the fact stablemate Mr Nosie was also still in the shake-up at that stage and eventually finished fourth.

"We've always thought Nicanor was a very good horse. He's always worked well at home and he's been in fantastic form but six years is a long wait for your second Festival winner.

"Having said that I couldn't actually be sure he was going to beat the other horse."

Nicanor was given a typical Paul Carberry ride and having been switched off towards the back of the field, the recent Leopardstown winner started to cut through the pack at the top of the hill.

Ruby Walsh was already a good few lengths ahead having sent Denman past the front-running Mr Nosie and into the lead but Carberry continued to make up ground and ranged upsides Denman swinging for home.

In scenes reminiscent of Harchibald, who runs in the same Des Sharkey colours, he was still swinging on the bridle heading to the last and a couple of smacks from Carberry were enough to see him quicken past the imposing Denman on the run-in.

"Paul said that if he had listened to everybody else then he would have ridden the other horse (Mr Nosie) but he decided to go for this one," said Meade.

"It was a typical ride from Paul and I have always thought a lot about Nicanor - he could be a Gold Cup horse one day.

"I would say he will probably miss Aintree and go to Punchestown now and next season he will go three-mile novice chasing."

Of Mr Nosie, Meade added: "He ran a cracker and jumped really well. It wasn't the plan to make the running but he has done so well."

Carberry, enjoying his first success of the week, added: "I was further back than I wanted to be but he was always going so well.

"He was absolutely cantering at the top of the hill and I knew jumping the second-last I had a bit left.

"He jumped the last a little bit tight, but I put my head down and he galloped all the way to the line. He was brilliant."

Nicholls was delighted with Denman's performance and the six-year-old is now set to tackle fences.

He said: "He's a three-mile chaser so the ground has probably just quickened up for him. Nicanor was always travelling well behind him.

"That's it now - he will go chasing in the autumn.

"When we bought him at the start of the season we never thought he would be good over hurdles, let alone end up here, but he's done really well.

"That was his last run over hurdles and it will be three-mile chasing next year."

Owner Paul Barber added: "I hope the next time you see him he will be three-mile chasing.

"We've been beaten by a decent horse and there are no excuses.

"Ruby felt he might have been better with a bit more cut in the ground but take nothing away from the winner."