Garde Champetre recorded a fifth success over the Cheltenham cross-country course and followed-up his recent triumph at The Open meeting when bravely defying 11st 12lb under JT McNamara in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase.

Nina Carberry will be back on Garde Champetre when the cross-country superstar goes for his sixth victory at Cheltenham at the Festival in March. Garde Champetre edged closer to matching the legendary Spot Thedifference, who won seven times at the track, when he succeeded on Friday.

A weight of 11st 12lb made it a tall order in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase and he had to cope without Carberry, who swapped for Heads Ontheground with JT McNamara.

Trainer Enda Bolger said: “We were scared about that weight on his back and he was slipping into different shoes with JT on board.”

Garde Champetre (left) – fifth win at Cheltenham