The judge could not split the Nicholls-trained Cornish Sett, the 5-1 favourite, and Pipe's Horus (22-1) after a thrilling finish to the listed contest. It was Pipe's 100th victory of the season but he still trails Nicholls in the trainers' championship race.

Horus, ridden by Jamie Moore, was always in the first two with Supreme Prince until last year's winner cried enough at the fifth-last fence.

That left Horus in front but Ruby Walsh, on his first day back after being out through injury for more than five weeks, brought Cornish Sett to challenge at the secondlast. Cornish Sett took a narrow lead on the run-in but Horus fought back bravely to force a dead-heat on the line, with Windsor Boy (9-1) six lengths away in third.

Walsh said afterwards: "He pulled up when he got to the front. If I'd have delayed my challenge a bit more I probably would have won. I was just in front but the other one came at me."

Moore added: "My fellow battled back and I honestly thought I'd won by a head, but my horse has run well."

Meanwhile, Sam Thomas, the man Henrietta Knight has appointed to partner Racing Demon in the Arkle Trophy at Cheltenham, got a monkey off his back when successfully teaming up with the Wantage trainer at Newbury. The young rider landed the Vodafone "National Hunt" Novices' Hurdle on Smart Mover and revealed he had gone quite a long time since his previous win for Knight.

Thomas came late to get the better by a neck of a good scrap with Original Thought and afterwards said: "It's a long time since my last winner for Henrietta, but having said that there have been no occasions when I didn't win on one I should have."

He added he had ridden Racing Demon in what he described as "a good bit of work" earlier in the week and was greatly looking forward to teaming up with him at the Festival. "Racing Demon gave me a great feel in his work and I can't wait to ride him in the Arkle, " he said.

Rubberdubber justified a wave of early-morning support in the manner expected of a 6-5 favourite as he took the Vodafone Novices' Handicap Chase in the hands of champion jockey Tony McCoy. Having failed to stay on his previous outing at Leicester, Charles Egerton's top-weight was much more at home over this two-and-aquarter-mile trip and he put in some spectacular leaps on the way to a two-length triumph over Lord On The Run.

Egerton confessed he had been worried about the quickening ground for Rubberdubber, who will not be going to Cheltenham as he is not entered. The trainer said:

"He's not qualified for the Jewson, which is a shame because I would definitely have gone for that with him.

"I would like to carry on with him but before making any plans I'll have to look at him in the morning. With National Hunt horses on quick ground you are always taking a risk."

Presenting Express put the icing on a fruitful cake for Emma Lavelle with a fourth success on the bounce in the Vodafone Handicap Chase.

Confidently ridden by Marcus Foley, the 9-2 shot made his only mistake five out but took the contest by the scruff of the neck at the final ditch and kept on strongly to score by seven lengths.

The weather proved a spoilsport for racing fans yesterday as Fairyhouse, the only Irish card, fell victim to the cold snap. A similar fate has hit today's card at Bangor which has been cancelled while there is an 8am inspection on the other cross-channel programme at Huntingdon.