Politologue claimed his third big-race victory of the season with a wide-margin success in the Unibet Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton on Wednesday.

The Paul Nicholls-trained grey was a prohibitively priced 8/15 favourite to add to his triumphs in the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter and the Tingle Creek at Sandown, and Sam Twiston-Davies was happy to sit in the slipstream of reigning Champion Chase hero Special Tiara for much of the two-mile contest.

Special Tiara, who was bidding for a third victory in the Grade 2, travelled and jumped with his usual exuberance before making an uncharacteristic mistake five fences from home, taking off too far away from the obstacle and paying the penalty with a crashing fall.

His exit left Politologue in a clear lead and he safely negotiated the remaining fences to seal a 13-length success. Vaniteux finished second and Forest Bihan was last of the three finishers.

Twiston-Davies said: "First of all it's good to see Noel (Fehily) cantering back on Special Tiara. That's always a good thing to see and he's a legend of a horse.

"This fella has been brilliant. He's jumped and travelled. He's not the best in front but at the same time he's got the job done and he's very good in these conditions."

Nicholls said: "He doesn't do a tap in front. Obviously we thought we'd get a lead to the last (fence), but it didn't happen. He's done the job and it's a valuable prize."

The trainer ruled out a potential clash with Un De Sceaux in the Clarence House Chase at Ascot on January 20th. Nicholls said: "He can have a nice holiday now and turn up for the Game Spirit (Newbury, February 10th).

"We've got one aim and that's the Champion Chase. You've got to get your horse there with the easiest route. You can have a nice break, go to the Game Spirit a bit underdone and then improve from there to Cheltenham. That's the plan.

"All this horse will do is improve and the better the race the better he'll be. The Champion Chase is a hard race to win, but I'm going into it thinking we've got a serious chance."

NICHOLLS DOUBLE

Nicholls also won the Grade 2 Wayward Lad Novices' Chase with Cyrname.

The 7/4 chance was sent straight to the front by Sean Bowen, with his stablemate Tommy Silver and Dan Skelton's 6/4 favourite Shantou Rock always close at hand.

The strong-travelling Shantou Rock loomed up looking a major threat rounding the home turn, but his early exertions began to take their toll early in the straight and Cyrname was not stopping.

The five-year-old winged the final fence to seal an impressive seven-length victory.

Nicholls mentioned the Pendil Novices' Chase at Kempton on February 24th or the Scilly Isles at Sandown on February 3rd as likely targets for the winner.

TRIUMPH CONTENDER

Earlier on the card, the Alan King-trained Redicean earned Triumph Hurdle quotes following a smart performance in the Introductory Juvenile Hurdle.

The dual flat scorer quickened up well in the testing conditions to defeat long-time leader Haulani by 10 lengths.

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