Grand National hero Noble Yeats entered the winners' enclosure at Cheltenham for the first time after narrowly getting the better of Paisley Park in the Grade 1 Cleeve Hurdle.
The 2022 Grand National winner had yet to visit the winners' enclosure at Prestbury Park after three failed previous visits but the Robert Waley-Cowen-owned nine-year-old set the record straight after coming out on top of a sustained dual with fan favourite Paisley Park.
Dashel Drasher adopted his customary position at the head of affairs and looked to have something left up his sleeve when he kicked into a clear advantage under Rex Dingle approaching the last. However, the challengers were snapping away at his heels, with Paisley Park, Noble Yeats and Strong Leader all in with a shout jumping the last.
Noble Yeats forged his way to the front up the run-in under super sub-Harry Cobden, who was stepping in for the sidelined Sean Bowen and looked to have proceedings under control with 50 yards to travel. However, the three-time Cleeve Hurdle winner Paisley Park was not going to give up easily and continued to stay on relentlessly up the Cheltenham hill. On this occasion though, it wasn't to be, and Emma Lavelle's charge would once again have to settle for second place this season as the Emmett Mullins-trained 3/1 chance Noble Yeats clung on bravely to score by a head.
Olly Murphy's Strong Leader, who was almost completely detached at one stage of the contest, would finish a further length behind in third.
A return to Cheltenham in March seemingly awaits the winner, who was cut to 8/1 from 16/1 for Stayers' Hurdle glory next month by bookmakers Paddy Power. The same firm also trimmed the Emmett Mullins-trained Grand National winner to 25/1 (from 33/1) for a repeat success at Aintree in the spring.
"We had to come and do that and lay down our claim for the Stayers' Hurdle. He would be in with a shout then all roads will lead back to the Grand National," said trainer Emmett Mullins.
"It was a brilliant race. It was two tough genuine horses running to the line. It was a bit nerve-racking, and I would say most other people enjoyed it more than I did.
"I said to Robert (Waley-Cohen) before he ran this season that we are going for the Stayers' Hurdle first and skip the Gold Cup. I think a lot of people were surprised when they didn't see an entry in that, but the Stayers' Hurdle has been the plan from the start of the season.
"He stays well, and the New Course here lends to a thorough test and that suits him.
"It is great to see him get his head back in front as they were serious tests that we asked him to do last season. He didn't come home without a cheque all season.
"We have had our crack at a Gold Cup, and we were well and truly put in our place and I would say we are 10lbs off that. I would say the Stayers' Hurdle is the next logical place to look."
Successful owner Robert Waley-Cohen said: "I've shouted a lot, and I keep on losing my voice with the close finishes. I'm a little bit sorry to spoil Paisley Park's story, but not very.
"He had a really tough season last season, so we wanted to give him a long summer and start slowly and think about winning the Grand National.
