TRADITIONALLY the Tingle Creek Trophy Chase at Sandown is one of the most exciting races of the season and this afternoon's clash between Moscow Flyer (2.35) and Azertyuiop looks all set to maintain the annual thriller, writes Colin Woods (Janus).

Without wishing to decry any of the other five runners in the fast and furious two-mile contest, unless either Moscow Flyer or Azertyuiop fail to complete the course, then the two former Queen Mother Champion Chase winners seem certain to fight out the finish.

The current ante-post betting favours the latter at 4-6, which is not the sort of starting price to make your fortune, therefore small stakes about the Irish raider, Moscow Flyer, on offer at 9-4, is the recommendation.

The current score between the pair is 1-1, and trainer as Paul Nicholls explained, Azertyuiop is in far better shape than when taking a four-length drubbing from his arch rival in the 2003 running of the Tingle Creek.

"Last year he came into training late and then fell at Exeter, so he went to Sandown virtually without having a prep race which is not ideal because he's the sort of horse who needs an outing to get him right as he carries plenty of condition," said Nicholls.

There were no such mishaps for the Nicholls' stable-star this time round on his seasonal reappearance, powering to victory on his comeback, despite being well above his normal racing weight.

That success will have put a vital edge on Azertyuiop's fitness, however the same, or arguably more, can be said for Moscow Flyer, reckoned to be razor-sharp after a win at Navan, plus a sparkling nine-furlong gallop at the Curragh on Tuesday.

It's shaping up into a mouth-watering encounter, and whatever the outcome let's hope all of the horses come back safe and sound, since when two-milers shift into top gear and meet the fences at full pelt, pin-point accuracy is required to avoid possible catastrophe.