Un Temps Pour Tout (far side)© Photo Healy Racing
Un Temps Pour Tout bravely won back-to-back renewals of the Ultima Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.
David Pipe 's inmate fought back like a seriously tough beast to get the measure of 5-1 favourite Singlefarmpayment after a pulse-chasing finish.
A photo-finish was called, but Tom Scudamore''s partner, who was saddled with top weight, had just enough in reserve when it mattered.
Pipe said of the 9-1 winner: "I'm absolutely thrilled and Tom has given him an amazing ride.
"It was a great performance from the horse under top weight and it was a tougher race than last year, I thought.
"He found a lot under pressure, he's not very big but he finds a lot and he's a good horse on a going day."
Scudamore said: "Pipe's a genius, nothing more needs to be said.
"He's a different horse in the spring and he loves the hill. I knew halfway up the run-in I'd win, he's so tough.
"I'm so pleased for everyone."
Un Temps Pour Tout's winning distance was a short head, with Noble Endeavor and Buywise third and fourth respectively.
Pipe added: "We fancied him in the Hennessy and he didn't perform that day.
"You could tell from an early stage he was going to run a big race. He's very gutsy. He's some horse."
Scudamore believes Un Temps Pour Tout could one day become a Grand National contender.
He said: "Some days he just doesn't fancy it. In the Hennessy he ran no sort of a race at all but you know the ability is there as he's a French Champion Hurdle winner.
"I wish I could ask him - he's a funny horse, for sure.
"I don't see why one day he couldn't be a National horse, but this year we've got Vieux Lion Rouge.
"One day he'll be in a National of sorts, I'm sure. He might go back to France, but I'll leave all that to David."
Trainer Tom George said of Singlefarmpayment: "I'm thrilled with him, it has just gone the wrong way on the line. It did look like he was getting back up again but he has ran a big race. He ran a great race and jumped well.
"Everything went right except the result didn't go our way at the end."
