Kauto Star handed Paul Nicholls his third victory in the William Hill Tingle Creek Trophy Chase at Sandown. The five-year-old joint-favourite, ridden by Mick Fitzgerald, held off the renewed challenge of Ashley Brook up the punishing hill on Saturday.
Ten-times champion jockey Tony McCoy aboard Ashley Brook had to settle for finishing a length and a half back.
Oneway was third, with Kauto Star's stable-mate Sporazene an early casualty when falling at the third fence.
As expected, fellow 5-2 joint-favourite Ashley Brook led from the off, pressed by the Martin Pipe-trained Locksmith with Kauto Star in third.
Fitzgerald, who replaced the injured Ruby Walsh, pushed his horse into contention at the second of the three Railway Fences down the back and moved ahead at the Pond Fence.
Kauto Star continued to extend his lead until he got in close to the final fence and Ashley Brook came again.
But Nicholls' horse held on, while Oneway finished a further eight lengths behind Ashley Brook.
The win made Kauto Star the new favourite for the Queen Mother Champion Chase.
MMIX
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
