PAUL Nicholls and Sam Twiston-Davies also won the previous race, the Grade 3 Murphy Group Handicap Chase, with 15/2 chance Sam Winner. This time 11st 12lb proved no bar to success as the seven-year-old overcame sluggishness in the early part of the race to latch on to the back of five going clear over the marathon three miles and three furlong trip, taking it up with three to jump.

He then powered clear but made a mistake at the last, allowing 4/1 favourite The Druids Nephew to close to within a length and a half at the line. The ground took its toll, with Saint Are all of 25 lengths away in third.