THE Betfair-sponsored Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown lacked the up-and-coming star that is Un De Sceaux but saw the return to the winners’ enclosure of a former one in Sire De Grugy, who prevailed over Special Tiara in a thrilling (and somewhat controversial) finish.

The Gary Moore-trained nine-year-old won Cheltenham’s Champion Chase in 2014, but anyone considering backing him for a repeat in 2016 needs to have a long, hard look at the clock first.