Paul Nicholls wins a tenth Tingle Creek as Politologue downs Fox Norton at Sandown

PAUL NICHOLLS pocketed a much needed Grade One and his tenth Betfair Tingle Creek Chase as Politologue held off the late charge of odds-on favourite Fox Norton at Sandown.

Nicholls' stable used to win Grade One's like they were going out of fashion but have struggled in recent years to replace stars like Kauto Star, Master Minded, Denman and Big Bucks.

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The Ditcheat handler has always maintained his hope that Politologue could be the best of the current crop, the Grade One horse he badly needs and badly wants.

Well, the 7-2 shot, owned by long-time supporter of the yard John Hales, may just have proven his trainer's belief to be well-founded.

The six-year-old grey jumped with zest and travelled kindly for young jockey Harry Cobden and, after Ar Mad faded from his aggressive front-running tactics, he got first run on Fox Norton and Robbie Power before holding off that rival gamely by half a length.

Nicholls told ITV Racing: "That means an awful lot, we are just short of a Grade One horse and I always believed in this one. It was a good ride from Harry and I'm delighted for everybody."

Cobden, winning the second Grade One of his promising young career, said: "He's a lovely horse, the first day I sat on him was at Haydock over two and a half on heavy ground, he took a bit of my heart that day and he's got it all now."

Nicholls went on: "He is starting to look the proper job. I knew when he went to Exeter there would be huge improvement.

"No one ever believes you when you say they need a run, but he hadn't been back long enough really.

"I knew they would go quick and his jumping stands him in great stead. Harry said he just cruises there and ends up idling in front. The faster they go, the more he can get a tow into the race.

"He is just coming into his own now. He slowed down the pace after the Railway fences, then he went after the Pond fence and he never looked from there as if he was going to be beaten."

"I got there too soon and had to take a pull, he loved it.

"We've done the same with this lad as we did with Top Notch, we've brought him along slowly, and it's paying off."

King said: "He looked awfully good today. He was in great form coming here but I'd always said to Daryl he's probably 6lb or 7lb shy of the very top, but fences look to have pulled that out of him.

"We were giving weight to North Hill Harvey at Cheltenham, so we were entitled to turn it round and he got a lot of confidence from his win at Warwick (two-runner race).

"They were always going to go a pace, but he was taking a pull almost all the race. Even at the second last I was like 'wait, wait' but he has seen the hill out very well. He has been slick from day one. From Warwick on his debut, he has been very good.

"I will speak to Anthony (Bromley, owner's racing manager) but I wouldn't mind if he went straight to the Arkle. We will see. There might be one run or something but we will leave him alone a bit for now."

Colin Tizzard indicated Finian's Oscar would now be upped in trip: "We have learnt a lot today. He is not going to be running over two miles again, that's for sure.

"We could have easily waited for next weekend at Cheltenham. We have had two novice chases now where he has just hacked round and jumped adequately and he has been the best horse in the race.

"We just wanted to make him into a racehorse going up in class and jumping fast. It was blatantly obvious to see he was not up to this pace."