Bleu Is The Colour At Ascot

There was a major shock in the Victor Chandler Chase at Ascot as red-hot favourite Twist Magic was well and truly turned over by David Pipe's Tamarinbleu.

The Boylesports Gold Cup winner was expected to find things happening too quickly back over a shorter distance.

But given an aggressive ride by Tom Scudamore, the 12-1 chance jumped for fun at the head of affairs and had all his rivals on the stretch turning for home.

Ruby Walsh tried to hold onto Twist Magic for as long as possible but the relentless gallop set by Tamarinbleu took its toll and he could find no more up the straight.

The eight-year-old was ridden out to win by 12 lengths, with a further 11 lengths back to Mansony in third.

Ashley Brook was pulled up after less than a mile.

The winner was given a quote of 8-1 from 33s by VC Bet for the Queen Mother Champion Chase.

Pipe said: 'It's great for the owners, who have been with Pond House longer than myself.

'They had Beau Ranger years ago- he was a superb horse, and this fellow isn't doing too badly,' he told BBC Sport.

'We'll go back and reflect on the race, but perhaps last time in the Tingle Creek Voy Por Ustedes didn't run his race and Twist Magic did, I don't know.

'It doesn't matter now and we've won this fantastic race. Good horses win at any distance.'

Paul Nicholls added of the runner-up: 'I was worried before we ran at Sandown (in the Tingle Creek) and we let him take his chance but the ground wasn't as bad that day.

'We got away with it then and today we didn't. I won't run him on that ground again.

'He cruised there but a three-miler won it today and that tells you everything.

'We'll leave him fresh now and, like I said, we won't run him on that ground again.'

(C) PA Sport