Last year's runner-up Kitty's Light may have been on the wrong side of Christian Williams' one-two in the race last season but made no mistake this time around. There was a short delay to clear some protestors from the course and a handful of notable absentees due to drying ground conditions.
The likeable staying chaser returned the 4/1 favourite having won the Eider Handicap Chase at Newcastle over a similar trip last-time-out. Settled towards the rear of the field the seven-year-old arguably travelled better than usual and made stealthy headway as the field turned for home. Magna Sam travelled up nicely with two to jump but was soon pressed by Kitty's Light and the eventual runner-up, Coopers Cross. The Christian Williams-trained seven-year-old got in tight to the last but picked up well under a jubilant Jack Tudor to draw clear for a three-length success.
Flash De Touzaine finished in third with Threeunderthrufive running well under a big weight to run fourth.
Speaking to ITV Racing afterwards Jack Tudor said "He's a legend. He's very different, he's small, he's flat-bred, and he's not a brilliant jumper but he's just trained to the absolute minute. This means an awful lot".
It was an emotional success with the Christian Williams team going through a tough time at the moment with his daughter, Betsy, having been recently diagnosed with leukemia.
Trainer Christian Williams added "Big battle on at home with my daughter but great, this horse will cheer everyone up.
"Lucky to have the staff I've got and the family as well. It's a great tonic for the children watching at home and I'm looking forward to getting back tonight and seeing them all."
