CLAINES-trained Ahyaknowyerself defied odds of 33-1 to finish fourth on the first day of the Cheltenham Festival.

The eight-year-old bay gelding, trained by Dr Richard Newland near Worcester, impressed in the Rewards4Racing Novices’ Handicap Chase, which was the final race of the day.

Eventual winner Present View survived a lengthy stewards’ inquiry to give trainer Jamie Snowden a first Festival winner as he held Attaglance in a dramatic finish.

Brendan Powell, who opened his account at the meeting 12 months ago, brought the 8-1 shot with a well-timed challenge to lead after the third from last.

Malcolm Jefferson’s Attaglance put in a strong effort and his rider, Brian Hughes, made a daring bid to try to get up the inside on the run-in.

When the door closed Attaglance was switched to the outside and closed the gap to half-a-length at the line.

Pendra was three lengths away in third and Ahyaknowyerself was fourth.