James Reveley has paid tribute to Gran Premio di Merano winner Chercheur D'or after the seven-year-old gave him back-to-back big-race victories at Merano.

Twelve months ago Reveley enjoyed an armchair victory aboard the classy Rigoureux, while this year's win resulted in a five-length success over the Philip Carberry-ridden Zarkali.

Reveley exclusively told www.cdhorseracingtours.com: "Everything was perfect - I was able to ride my race just how I wanted, which was pretty much how I rode it last year.

"I dropped my horse in and then let him measure the fences and bided my time, he jumped very well for me throughout and give him credit this was his first time at the track.

"We managed to avoid the fall of Alpha Speed and at that point I took a pull because we were travelling so well and found ourselves at the front sooner than I wanted. After that it was just a case of keeping the horse out of trouble and delivering our challenge at the end of the race," he added

Reveley reports that the Guillaume Macaire-trained Chercheur D'or is 'fine' after his exertions and his targets for next season are likely to be the two Group One jump races (June - Grande Steeplechase d'Europa (4,600 metres) and in September - Gran Premio di Merano (5,000m) staged at Merano.

Reveley enthused: "Merano is a lovely place and the racecourse seems to be a very lucky one for me. The mountains which surround the course are amazing and I can't wait to return there next year!"