JAMIE Bargary proved an able last-minute deputy as he rode the Cotswold-trained Splash Of Ginge to victory in the BetBright Best For Festival Betting Handicap Chase at Cheltenham.

Called up after Ryan Hatch suffered a broken collarbone following a fall in the previous race, Bargary took his chance to land the biggest success of his fledgling career.

Nigel Twiston-Davies' charge looked unlucky when falling on his previous start at the track and he made amends in great style.

Always travelling sweetly, Splash Of Ginge (9-2 favourite) took the lead from Hunt Ball at the second last and kept on strongly to beat his rival by three-and-a-quarter lengths.

Bargary said: "I can't say how sorry I am for poor Ryan. He had a great day ahead of him.

"He missed the ride on this lad, who is so special to him (won the Betfair Hurdle). He's now very special to me too."

Naunton-based Twiston-Davies said: "Although it was only his sixth winner, Jamie is very good as he showed with a faultless display of jockeyship on his first ride without his 10lb claim.

"It will now be back to the novice route and the JLT is the one. I suppose Ptit Zig will be shaking in his shoes to hear that."

Ptit Zig (evens favourite) earlier boosted his claims for that race at the Cheltenham Festival by taking his 100 per cent record to four with a clear-cut success in the Grade Two BetBright Novices' Chase under Twiston-Davies' son Sam.

Meanwhile, Hatch will miss the ride on Count Guido Deiro at Sandown on Saturday.

Nigel Twiston-Davies said: "He's broken his collarbone. We're hoping he'll be back in two weeks."