SANDOWN'S Tingle Creek Chase invariably produces a nail-biting finish and this afternoon's re-run promises to be no exception given not one of the seven top-class two-mile contestants can be ruled out of the £100,000 Esher showpiece, writes Colin Woods.

Flagship Uberalles won the race three times in succession between 1999 and 2001, while 12 months ago it was the turn of the Paul Nicholls-trained Cenkos to plunder the big prize on offer.

As ever one short sentence doesn't tell the entire story and had the Irish raider Moscow Flyer not been badly hampered and unseated his rider at the fifth fence that day, things might have been oh so different.

Revenge was always on the cards for Jessica Harrington's speedball at this year's Cheltenham Festival in the Queen Mother Champion Chase, Moscow Flyer demonstrating just why he is so highly rated by thrashing Cenkos, Flagship Uberalles, plus Martin Pipe's Seebald.

Pre-race vibes are always important on such occasions and jockey Barry Geraghty reports Moscow Flyer (2.20) to be "squealing and in good form" after a schooling session earlier on this week. He'll do for me, although mention must be made of Paul Nicholls' other two runners, Azertyuiop and La Roi Miguel.

Ruby Walsh almost certainly had the choice of the talented Nicholls' trio and the fact he has opted to partner Azertyuiop speaks volumes. Walsh is thus far unbeaten on the six-year-old, who was also successful at the Festival, bagging a very much sub-standard Arkle Challenge Trophy in spectacular style.

"Azertyuiop seems very well and has done lots of work, but don't forget Cenkos loves Sandown and Le Roi Miguel did well at Ascot the other day," explained Paul.

* Pat Eddery, who retires from race riding tomorrow, is reportedly considering a new career as a trainer.

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