MAGIC DOES THE TRICK IN TINGLE CREEK

January 20 2010

Twist Magic - made all the running.

Even with Master Minded missing from his batting line-up, Paul Nicholls still dominated the Keith Prowse Hospitality Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown as Twist Magic made every yard to score with imperious ease.

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 Ruby Walsh, who was never headed aboard the well-backed 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 today's 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.

Walsh added: "He jumped the first couple well and never missed a beat. He handled the ground well and the others could never get close to him.

"It was a terrific performance and Paul was very keen on him. He was spectacular all the way down the back and was neat and nimble at the last.

"It was a great performance and to ride a two-miler like that round here takes some beating."

Tom Cooper had expressed reservations about the ground for Forpadydeplasterer but was delighted with his seven-year-old's effort.

Cooper said: "He was the only horse to keep tabs on Twist Magic on ground he hated.

"He is pure heart and we are still on track for the Champion Chase.

"There is a race for him at Kempton over Christmas but I would say that is doubtful as I don't want to travel him again so soon.

"If we get the ground then I'll be tempted to run at Leopardstown in the Dial-A-Bet Chase."

Well Chief also finished third in his only other Tingle Creek appearance when hot on the heels of Moscow Flyer and Azertyuiop in the 2004 renewal.

His trainer David Pipe said: "He has run a great race and confirmed form with Mahogany Blaze, although we did think the Cheltenham form may be slightly suspect.

"Let's hope he comes out of this OK and we get him back to Cheltenham in March."

Big Zeb was made favourite after Master Minded's defection last week but Barry Geraghty's mount was toiling well before the field came to the Pond fence.

His trainer Colm Murphy said: "It was disappointing and he never got into a rhythm at all.

"Barry said he was never happy and he got close to a few down the back.

"He certainly wasn't the same horse who won at Navan the last day.

"He does go well fresh so perhaps we have run him back too quick.

"As far as Leopardstown is concerned we will see what the ground is like and take a decision nearer the time."