Waley-Cohen scores on Rajdhani

Sam Waley-Cohen warmed up for the Gold Cup by winning the Rewards4Racing Novices' Handicap Chase on Rajdhani Express (16/1).

The top-weight impressed at Kempton over Christmas before flopping at Cheltenham next time, but showed that to be all wrong with a game performance to fend off Ackertac (66/1).

The runner-up, blinkered for the first time, closed all the wine to the line following the last fence but couldn't get to Rajdhani Express, who'd been ridden patiently before joining in at the top of the hill.

Ohio Gold (16/1) travelled well for Colin Tizzard and jumped the second-last in front before being left behind, while Shangani (6/1) rallied having been handy throughout to take fourth ahead of favourite Colour Squadron.