RACING

■ EDWARDSTONE laid down his claim to be Britain’s top two-mile chaser with a nine-length win in the Grade One Tingle Creek Chase, writes Marcus Townend. The eight-year-old was at the top of the novice chase ranks last season, winning the Arkle Challenge Trophy at the Cheltenham Festival, but his performance at Sandown took his form to a new level.

Edwardstone had been denied a prep run because of unsuitable quick ground and trainer Alan King, winning his first Tingle Creek, admitted the gelding had performed better than he could have hoped for. He said: ‘If we had finished third or fourth I would have been happy but I am ecstatic now. To win it is very special.’ Edwardstone is now 7-2 second favourite for the Champion Chase at Cheltenham in March.