Saint Calvados makes winning return at Cheltenham

Saint Calvados marked his first appearance of the season with victory in the Randox Health Handicap Chase at Cheltenham on Saturday. The Harry Whittington-trained six-year-old had not been seen since he finished a distant seventh to Altior in the Champion Chase at this year’s Cheltenham Festival. Since then the Kate & Andrew Brooks-owned gelding has had a change of tactics and undergone wind surgery, which appeared to have the desired effect as he returned to the winners’ enclosure in handicap company on Saturday. The victory was a first at Cheltenham for Whittington, who felt Saint Calvados was in his comfort zone despite the heavy conditions at Prestbury Park. “That was my first Cheltenham winner and it is very special,” Whittington said. “It’s just great. What can I say? He handled the track. He loved those conditions – we know that. “You can safely say it was a classy performance in those conditions off top weight. It was a big drop in class.”