Cheltenham has seen its fair share of well backed pre-race favourites come a cropper over the years — especially when the starting stalls have opened to allow equally determined rivals to battle their way over a series of difficult obstacles in pursuit of glory.

No such worries for Crofton Silver and Dean Jones though — as the bookies choice made it a 2016 'Triple Crown' by adding the National Championship of Great Britain title to the major Butlins and Yorkshire Area ones claimed earlier in the year.

Pushed hard

That said, they were certainly pushed hard all the way to the finishing line over the Aztec inspired fences of Kevin Houben's 'Lake of the Moon' test-piece — especially by runner-up J36, Area champions of the North of England, and third placed Tendring Brass from London & Southern Counties.

And just to ensure they couldn't take anything for granted despite their fancied odds, just a length or two behind came a series of well-directed top-six accounts from Chinnor Silver, Farnworth & Walkden and Blackpool Brass.

Batman to PLC

In the end though, adjudicators David Childs and Richard Marshall were impressed most by Dean Jones's ability to draw out the drama, tension and vibrant colour from a score that as Richard later described in his pre-results remarks contained '...everything from Batman to PLC' within its bars.

He also backed his views in his written remarks for Crofton: 'A really enjoyable performance throughout and a dramatic close. Thank you. A very good reading and a performance to match.'

David Childs agreed: 'Glorious band sounds contribute to a triumphant close. Thank you band and MD — not without error, but so much to admire. Musical and exciting.'

Thrilled

Not surprisingly the winning MD was thrilled to hold the National Trophy in his grasp as his players ran, almost delirious with joy, out of the hall and to the edge of the famous race course to have their pictures taken close to where great favourites such as Arkle and Dessert Orchid had triumphed in the past.

"They are such a great group,"Dean said. "There are no banding politics and no cliques — just players who want to enjoy themselves as friends. They are an amazing bunch. I've been with the band for about 18 months now and we have just clicked together."

He added: "2016 has been a fantastic year and we are aiming to try and get to the top section together. I can't thank the players enough for what they have done. Now we are looking forward to the Bolsover contest and to Butlins next year. There may be a few celebrations to enjoy before our next rehearsal though!"

Challengers came and went

You wouldn't blame them for coming to their next practice with a sore head or two after they took the lead in the judge's opinion just before the break.

From that moment on they never relinquished it, despite the determined challenge of a well-controlled account from Tendring directed by Antony Sanders immediately after them.

Challengers then came and went, until J36 under Andrew Warriner produced a sterling last furlong burst after a bit of a shaky start to very nearly pip their rivals at the post (and which saw their excellent flugel player Steven Craig take the 'Best Instrumentalist' award) — something both judges remarked upon to 4BR after the results.

Close

"It was close between the top three,"Richard said. "Perhaps the first 20 or so bars really decided it in the end, as the winners were excellent — but there wasn't much between them."

That observation certainly backed up his pre-results observations when he said that it was the opening section with its deceptively simple, but horrendously difficult emerging chord structure and mini fanfare motifs that set the tone of what invariably followed (it was also a point made by the composer himself in his message of best wishes read out before the results).

Richard also praised the quality of the 'gorgeous' euphonium playing that was a feature of just about every band as well as the 'wonderful' flugel soloists, but also made the point that there were some 'real problems' with some of tuning in the muted work throughout.

Highly engaging

And although the historical accuracy of the narrative musical line of 'Lake of the Moon' (which saw the Aztecs seemingly reach their destination via downtown Baghdad, the Russian Steppes, a day trip to Universal Studios in Hollywood and even a detour to visit Mahler and Stravinsky along the way) was more than a little questionable — it still made for a highly engaging and thoroughly enjoyable test of musical style and technique.

A brace of well managed accounts from Dronfield Genquip and Blackpool Brass led by John Pearson opened proceedings and set the early markers (eventually coming seventh and sixth respectively), before Crofton and Tendring closed the first half of the contest with their strongly portrayed podium finishing accounts.

Purposeful

Straight after the break Farnworth & Walkden under Matt Shaw gave a purposeful rendition that held its own to finish fifth, whilst Valley Brass and Rhyl Silver led home a late draw charge by claiming top-ten finishes.

And with J36 giving it their all as they chased their Yorkshire rivals to the line, Chinnor Silver directed by the experienced David Pegram caught the wake of their slipstream to also overcome a poor start and finish with a flourish in fourth.

Few complaints

Elsewhere though there would have been few complaints from bands to where they finished, although the long distance young travellers of Campbeltown (who would know just how those ancient Aztecs felt after making their trip down from the West of Scotland) and Briton Ferry (from west Wales) may just have felt a little disappointed at their final outcomes.

No such problems for Crofton though as they contemplated their return home to the small village just outside Wakefield with a National Trophy that was won in a fashion every bit as memorable as any equine favourite had achieved here over the years.

There are no banding politics and no cliques — just players who want to enjoy themselves as friends. They are an amazing bunch. I've been with the band for about 18 months now and we have just clicked togetherMD, Dean Jones

Results:

Test Piece: Lake of the Moon (Kevin Houben)
Adjudicators: David Childs and Richard Marshall

1. Crofton Silver (Dean Jones)
2. J36 (Andrew Warriner)
3. Tendring Brass (Anthony Sanders)
4. Chinnor Silver (David Pegram)
5. Farnworth & Walkden (Matthew Shaw)
6. Blackpool Brass (John Pearson)
7. Dronfield Genquip (Simon Kerwin)
8. Rhyl Silver (Keith Jones)
9. Valley Brass (Haydock) (David Chadwick)
10. Selkirk Silver (Stuart Black)
11. Gillingham Imperial (James Bennett)
12. Campbeltown Brass (Gordon Evans MBE)
13. Midsomer Norton & Radstock (Gareth Key)
14. Briton Ferry (Jeff Pearce)
15. Stourport-on-Severn (Oliver Wilson)
16. Phoenix Brass (Crewkerne) (David Boorer)
17. Melton (Graham Sutton)
18. Pleasley Colliery Welfare (Geof Benson)
19. Bearkpark & Esh Colliery (Peter Elcoat)

Best Instrumentalist: Steven Craig (flugel) — J36