Arkle hope Snap Tie made to graft on chasing bow; CHELTENHAM.

Byline: Andrew King

Star performance Tony McCoy for a perfectly executed treble Quote of the day "The horse should have an Asbo as you cannot do anything with him at home" - Evan Williams after Barizan's victory Which of Ferdy Murphy's runners really caught the eye? Results and analysis, page 108 SNAP TIE was sent off 1-2 favourite to make a winning debut over fences in the novice chase and duly landed the odds, but was anything but impressive in beating stablemate Safari Journey.

Bookmakers were unmoved by the workmanlike win and he remains a 20-1 chance for the Arkle with William Hill and Paddy Power.

Trainer Philip Hobbs has designs on the Irish Independent Arkle Chase for the Diana Whateley-owned seven-year-old and said: "You like to see them be a bit careful early on then warm to their task, which he's done, and he is likely to come back here for a novice chase at the Paddy Power meeting next month.

"The likelihood is that he will have two or three runs before the ground gets too soft and then the hope is that we will bring him back after Christmas with one outing, then the Arkle at the festival."

Hobbs went on to notch a double after Templer followed up his recent Exeter win when battling generously to land the Pertemps qualifier to supply teenager Giles Hawkins with his first Cheltenham success on his first ride at the course.

Barizan made it five wins from six outings for owner Peter Conway since joining EvanWilliams after overcoming a few jumping errors to make all the running in the juvenile hurdle under Tony McCoy.

The three-year-old is a 25-1 chance for the Triumph Hurdle with William Hill but Paddy Power are as short as 16-1 and Williams said: "He is a very uncooperative horse but AP seems to get the best out of him."

McCoy had earlier initiated a treble when riding a very patient race on Nelson's Spice to land the 3m handicap chase in the colours of his boss JP Mc-Manus and taking the finale on The Jigsaw Man.

Trainer Jonjo O'Neill said of Nelson's Spice: "That was probably his Gold Cup, to coin a phrase, as he has been on the go in the summer and was a bit fitter than the others."

Mutual Friend, given a good ride by Johnny Farrelly, came through late to collect the conditional jockeys' handicap hurdle at odds of 20-1. David Pipe's charge had two and a quarter lengths to spare from McMurdo Sound.

Watch the best of the action from Cheltenham and Newmarket on RPTV Mutual Friend and Johnny Farrelly winning the conditional jockeys' handicap hurdle