Tingle Creek treat
The two served up a treat for all those watching as neither would give in but it was Willie Mullins' chaser who battled back for victory
UN DE SCEAUX bounced back to form and powered to an emotionally-charged success in the Betfair Tingle Creek Chase.
While the build-up to the race revolved around the participation of his stablemate Douvan, the eight-year-old proved to be a more-than-able substitute, leaving behind the reverses he suffered last term in fighting out perhaps the finish of the season.
Not since the final day of the last campaign in his trainers' title battle with Paul Nicholls had Willie Mullins saddled a runner in Britain, but his decision to call on Un De Sceaux over proved an inspired one.
In a bid not to get embroiled in a battle for the lead, Ruby Walsh elected to sit the well backed 5-4 favourite behind the front-running Ar Mad, who carried the field along until giving way at the fifth-last to the market leader.
No sooner had the former Arkle winner mastered Ar Mad than he was faced with the prospect of having to get the better of the latter's stablemate and dual winner Sire De Grugy, playing out a battle that will be watched again countless times.
After the pair jumped the third-last almost in unison, there was again little to separate them over the final two fences with both horses seemingly unwilling to relent and give in, much to the delight of the near 14,000 crowd in attendance.
For a brief moment up the run-in it looked like trainer Gary Moore and his former Champion Chase hero were destined to join Flagship Uberalles in becoming three-time winners of the Grade One showpiece as they forged into a narrow lead.
But it was not to be with Un De Sceaux - who was left unchanged at 10-1 for the Queen Mother with Paddy Power and Boylesports - rallying for all he was worth to get up by length, much to the delight of an animated Walsh.
Colm O'Connell owns Un De Sceaux with his father, Edward, and said: "It's very emotional for us, he's a family horse. This win is dedicated to my parents, who are at home and didn't travel today.
"This is the biggest day of our racing lives and our thanks go to Willie Mullins, Ruby Walsh and all the team."
He added: "We didn't think he was coming here if I'm honest as we took on Sprinter Sacre and he'd beaten us and you think the good days are behind you.
"But when you get them back it's just special."
Speaking from Ireland, Mullins, celebrating his first Tingle Creek triumph, said: "I thought he was beaten going to the last, but he dug deep, the first two did. Ruby was very strong and the horse ground it out. From what I saw I was very happy with him.
"The horse in front (Ar Mad) was giving an exhibition of jumping. He probably took too much out of himself, but it opened up the race."
He added: "I imagine he'll go to Leopardstown at Christmas next. There's only a certain programme for them. That looks the obvious one at this point."
As for Walsh, who was winning the race for the fourth time, he had nothing but praise for the winner.
He said: "We had a truly-run race. He settled well and jumped super. It takes two horses to make a great race and Sire De Grugy served it up to us.
"He is a horse that probably had his reputation dented at the end of last year. He has come back and put his heart on his sleeve again. It is a great race to win."
Moore indicated he will try to keep Sire De Grugy and Ar Mad - who finished a rallying fourth behind God's Own in third - to different races.
He said: "I thought once he'd got upsides him he'd just about stay on, but I think he probably outstayed us. It is a great performance and I'm over the moon with the horse.
"Every time we've taken on Un De Sceaux he has beaten us, but we are getting closer.
"We will have a look at the Desert Orchid for Sire De Grugy. I would rather run one in the Clarence House and one in the Desert Orchid."
He added of Ar Mad, who was returning from an absence of nearly 300 days: "He's the one to take out of the race for me, I'd take them all on again any day of the week. I'm not worried about stepping up in trip, I think he'd go further now."
