Despite dropping down a mile in trip after his brilliant win in the Betfair Chase at Haydock, the six-year-old showed he had lost none of his dash for the shorter distance.

Leading a long way out after Dempsey fell at one of the Railway Fences, the 4-9 shot, trained by Paul Nicholls and ridden by Ruby Walsh, stormed to victory by seven lengths from Voy Por Ustedes, with Oneway another seven lengths back in third.

Tingle Creek day always has a sentimental tinge to it and two-mile heroes Cenkos, Flagship Uberalles and Moscow Flyer evoked fond memories when parading before a big crowd.

The emotional thread carried over into the opening William Hill 0800 44 40 40 Novices' Handicap Hurdle, which produced a scintillating finish.

Magnesium, trained by Brendan Powell, made virtually all the running under Timmy Murphy, who gradually wound it up from three out. Though under pressure between the last two flights, the six-year-old kept finding more as he bravely fought off first Inn For The Dancer and then the renewed challenge of Cottingham, who looked certain to score at the final flight as he loomed large under Tom Doyle.

At the line, the 9-2 shot ran out a length and a half winner from Cottingham (8-1), with Inn For The Dancer four lengths back in third.

Fair Along is the new antepost favourite for the Irish Independent Arkle after powering to victory in the Sodexho Prestige Henry VIII Novices' Chase. The fouryear-old, sent off a 2-1 shot for the two-mile event, received 9lb from odds-on My Way De Solzen, and Richard Johnson barely had to go for his whip to win by ten lengths.

And the Alan King-trained five-year-old Ben's Turn (9-2) stuck on in dogged style up the straight under Robert Thornton to get the better of Kipsigis in the williamhillpoker. com Handicap Hurdle.