Berkshire’s loss proved to be the West Country’s gain here on Saturday as the Grade One Clarence House Chase, re-routed from its usual home at Ascot, produced a memorable duel up the Cheltenham hill before Editeur Du Gite, who was not in the field for its scheduled date last weekend, edged out Edwardstone with Energumene, last year’s Champion Chase winner and odds-on at 4-9, only third.

Editeur Du Gite, a 14-1 chance, set a decent gallop from the off under Niall Houlihan, a conditional rider at Gary Moore’s yard, but appeared to be booked for second as Edwardstone, last season’s Arkle Trophy winner, moved into a narrow lead halfway up the hill. When Houlihan asked for one last effort, however, Editeur Du Gite responded impressively to edge back in front a few strides from the line.

Josh Moore, who suffered a life-threatening infection after a fall in April 2022 and confirmed his retirement from race-riding earlier this month, was in the winner’s enclosure to greet Editeur Du Gite and Houlihan, and the stable will now hope to emulate the triumph of Sire Du Grugy, in the same red and blue colours of co-owner Steve Preston, in the 2014 Champion Chase.

“He loves it around here,” Moore said. “He showed he was a good horse at Kempton Park [last time so] it is not surprising he has won, but Edwardstone and Energumene, it didn’t look like they could be beaten.

“I didn’t have anything to do with Sire De Grugy but it is good that those colours are back going again. One of the owners, Trevor Jacobs, has been in hospital for nearly six months, so it is good for him. He is making progress which is good though. I guess we will look at the Champion Chase now but he won’t be a 14-1 chance for that.”

Editeur Du Gite is now top-priced at 13-2 for the Champion Chase on 15 March, in what is now an open market for the two-mile feature of the second day at the Festival. Energumene and Edwardstone are joint-favourites at 3-1, with Blue Lord third-best at 9-2.

There was an emotional success with Ahoy Senor in the Cotswold Chase for trainer Lucinda Russell, whose 95-year-old father, Peter, who had a share in the winner, died this week. Russell played a significant role in setting up Russell’s stable in Scotland, where she trained One For Arthur to win the Grand National at Aintree in 2017.

“My dad was a fantastic person,” Russell said. “As he went on in his life, the racing meant a lot to him and he would always phone me before and after the races and I’ll miss that intensely.

“He loved this horse and really wanted him to do well. It was dad that set me up and gave me the desire and determination, and he’d be very proud today. He’s always been good, but I think he came of age today.”

Ahoy Senor was cut to around 12-1 for the Gold Cup in March, in a market headed by Galopin Des Champs at 13-8.