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CLOSE TOUCH A ROYAL WINNER

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The Queen has a bright prospect to look forward to after Close Touch landed a 12-length victory in the EBF paddypower.com 'National Hunt' Novices' Handicap Hurdle Final at Sandown.

A home-bred related to the likes of Open Hearted and First Love, the chestnut had been unbeaten in his first three starts before running into African Gold at Doncaster last time.

Many Clouds continued to dig deep from the front and finished an admirable second, but he was no match for Close Touch, who surged relentlessly forward over the last two flights.

BIG GUNS HOLD SWAY IN TRIUMPH

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All the major ante-post fancies are among 21 acceptors for the JCB Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival on Friday.

The Dessie Hughes-trained Our Conor, Paul Nicholls' Far West and Nicky Henderson's Rolling Star are the three main market fancies and all appear.

As well as Our Conor the Irish challenge could also be supplemented by Willie Mullins' Blood Cotil and Diakali, among others.

Gary Moore's Chris Pea Green, the John Quinn duo of Kashmir Peak and Hidden Justice, and John Ferguson's Grade One winner Ruacana are all there.