Russell jumped superbly around the tricky Cheltenham course

The 28-1 chance Dix Villez caused a big surprise with victory in the Cross Country Chase on the first day of the Open meeting at Cheltenham.

Davy Russell's mount jumped the 32 fences strongly but there was controversy when he seemed to take a short route around part of the track.

But a stewards enquiry cleared Russell of any wrongdoing and the result stood.

Dix Villez moved into contention with three of the 32 fences still to jump and held off Garde Champetre to win.

Garde Champetre's trainer Enda Bolger was bidding for a fifth consecutive win in the race after the successes of Spot Thedifference.

Russell said afterwards: "There are little short-cuts here and there and they make a difference.

"I was speaking to the stewards beforehand about that short-cut and the bushes don't matter as markers.

606: DEBATE It was very clever riding and he did the right thing by asking the stewards prior to the race N_B

"We all have our own way of mapping out and I pay particular attention to them."

But he was full of praise for his charge, trained by Paul Nolan, who claimed his first win since June 2006.

"As a young horse he was very tough and had to be ridden accordingly," added Russell.

"I had him near the front for the first couple of fences but I pulled him back a little - he was on the bridle and loving every minute of it."

Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase Cheltenham 3m 7f

1. Dix Villez (D N Russell) 28-1
2. Garde Champetre (Mr J T McNamara) 13-8 Fav
3. Pass Me By (A Coleman) 50-1
16 ran. Dist: 3, 1¾

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