Racing: Henry's staying power impresses bookmakers

Valley Henry was trimmed in the betting for the Royal & SunAlliance Chase after a four-length win in the £30,000 Grade Two novices' chase at Newbury yesterday. Coral and Paddy Power both make the gelding 7-1 (from 10-1) for his Cheltenham Festival target.

The 15-8 favourite, trained by Paul Nicholls, was always travelling well under Timmy Murphy and stayed on as his rivals blundered their way out of contention. Frosty Canyon chased him home with Southern Star, who tried to go through the second-last rather than over it, nine lengths back in third.

"He's not the easiest horse to train," Nicholls said. "He was very well first time out but it's easy to get him over the top. I was worried about him staying but Timmy wasn't and said that he was keeping on at the finish, which I was pleased to hear.

"He's got a month before Kempton and if he's all right he will run on Boxing Day [in the Feltham Novices' Chase]."