IT’S a brave punter who backs against the Paul Nicholls/Ruby Walsh partnership in the big weekend jumps races.
And even with champion chaser Master Minded on the sidelines, the pair still dominated the Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown.
Twist Magic proved he’s still every inch a top class performer, leading from the flag to beat high quality opposition in effortless style.
His 15-length romp in the glue-like conditions was Twist Magic’s second win in the race after his 2007 heroics and the champion trainer’s fifth consecutive success.
Master Minded missed the opportunity to add to last year’s display due to a cracked rib, with Kauto Star having also stamped his name on the roll of honour in 2005 and 2006.
The win was Nicholls’ seventh in the past 10 years and was achieved with the help of a bold ride from Walsh, who was never headed aboard the 9-4 chance.
His mount was soon into an easy rhythm and winged the final fence to climb the hill well clear of Arkle winner Forpadydeplasterer.
The pair were nine lengths in front of Well Chief while 15-8 favourite Big Zeb never landed a blow and trailed in a distant fourth of the five finishers.
Nicholls said: “He ran well at Exeter first time and that was a prep.
“All of ours have come on for their first outings and today has always been the race we have had in mind for him.
“He’s a character, he needs a lot of work and today he was probably as well as he has ever looked.
“Tactically that was brilliant. Ruby didn’t get the credit he deserved for Denman last week and we spent more time than ever this week talking about tactics and that was spot on.
“Two years ago Kauto Star won the Betfair, Denman won the Hennessy and Twist Magic won this. That was a career-best today from him. We’ll have a think now where we go.
“He’s in at Leopardstown over Christmas but I almost wouldn’t mind going to the Champion Chase with him a fresh horse.
“If Master Minded didn’t get there, then we have got a great first reserve and you would have to say on this performance that there isn’t a lot between them.”
Twist Magic was halved in price to 10-1 by totesport and Coral for the Queen Mother while Ladbrokes were even more impressed and offer him at just 5-1 behind 7-4 favourite Master Minded.
Meanwhile, Our Vic was back in the winner’s enclosure for the first time in 18 months yesterday after a thrilling success in the £40,000 totesport.com Chase at Warwick.
The 11-year-old – winner of seven Graded races during his high-class jumping career – showed he had lost none of his enthusiasm as he battled back in the home straight for Timmy Murphy after being the first under pressure.
Robert and Sally Alner’s gallant mare Miss Mitch had held Our Vic (3-1) and Don’t Push It at bay until the last fence when all three were in the air together.
The 13-8 favourite Don’t Push It was the first to crack after landing awkwardly and then Our Vic powered clear.
Our Vic is entered the Boylesports.com Gold Cup next Saturday at Cheltenham, for which he is now a 16-1 chance from 20-1 with Paddy Power.
Gerry Supple, representing the David Pipe stable, said: “David will talk over the race with the horse’s owner David Johnson before we make any firm decision. But today was the plan.”
CHRIS WRIGHT'S NAP: Wizards Dust (12.50pm Musselburgh).
