SILVER Concorde had to settle for minor honours as No Heretic prevailed in a thrilling finish to the Betway Chester Cup.

Having his first run on the Flat for over 900 days, No Heretic once again advertised National Hunt trainer Nicky Henderson's dual-purpose skills.

Having raced keenly in the early stages, the eight-year-old did well to hang on late in the piece as Iain Jardine's Nakeeta was delivered with a sustained challenge. A photo-finish was called but No Heretic (11-1) got the verdict by a short head.

Dermot Weld's 2014 Champion Bumper hero Silver Concorde was shuffled back at a crucial stage and stayed on late for third, with Gabrial The Hero faring best of the Dr Marwan Koukash team in fourth.

Successful jockey Jamie Spencer said: "That's only his second run since 2013. To win a Chester Cup is a tremendous training performance. He's got the job done."

The pace, set by Adam Kirby on John Reel, was very sedate, with all the challengers stacked up behind. Steve Rogers (7-2 favourite) appeared to be in the perfect position, with Gang Warfare just in behind him. However, when push came to shove neither could quicken up as Nakeeta swept round the outside.

The giant No Heretic was just able to hold off the late lunge, though, to give Spencer a second win in the race in four years.

Alex Cole, racing manager to owners Jim and Fitri Hay, said: "It's amazing he could win. Poor Jamie must have no arms left as he pulled so hard. He jumped a fox at Leicester (May 2011) when he won, believe it or not, and was off for a year. "Then he did a tendon and needed 1,000 days off. We thought we'd persevere as he's got a lovely pedigree and it's paid off. We switched him to a jumps trainer (from David Simcock) because they have heavier lads there and they just might be able to help him settle a bit."