HORSE RACING: Defi Du Seuil too strong for Un De Sceaux at Ascot

Taking the lead at the second-last fence, Barry Geraghty's mount went on to beat Un De Sceaux by two-and-three-quarter lengths, both the first two going off the 11/10 joint-favourites.

Only a neck had separated the pair when they met in the Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown last month.

Hobbs said: "I'm just very surprised how easily he did it. We were hoping we would beat Un De Sceaux again, but by no means was it certain we were going to.

"He could have done with a stronger pace, maybe, but he jumped well throughout."

Geraghty commented: "He felt really sharp. He was spring-heeled at the second-last and put it to bed."

Willie Mullins, trainer of Un De Sceaux said: "I thought the winner has improved and he won very well and we didn't improve from our last run, so I was very disappointed, but that is the way it is."

Un De Sceaux, who had won this Grade One showpiece three times previously, finished well clear of 66/1 outsider Marracudja, the third home in a five-runner field.

Magic Of Light (5/2), trained by Jessica Harrington, won the bet365 Mares' Hurdle for the second year running.

Giving weight away all round, the nine-year-old dictated the race and stayed on strongly to defeat Sensulano by four-and-three-quarter lengths.

Winning rider Robbie Power said: "I thought it was a better race than last year, on ground which wouldn't be ideal for her, but she is a real genuine, admirable mare."

After two unsuccessful starts over fences, top-weight Thomas Darby looked happier over the smaller obstacles when taking the Matchbook Holloway's Handicap Hurdle.

The 8/1 chance, carrying top-weight, held off long-time leader Song For Someone by a length in the hands of Richard Johnson.

Trainer Olly Murphy said: "It was a good performance first time in a handicap off 151, to do that on heavy ground around Ascot was no mean feat. I think there is still more to come."

Goshen (1/5 favourite), ridden by Jamie Moore, extended his unbeaten record over hurdles to three in the Ascot IJF Ambassador Programme Juvenile Hurdle, finishing 11 lengths ahead of runner-up Nordano.

Winning trainer Gary Moore remarked: "He is the best juvenile I've had by a mile."

It was a day to remember for 24-year-old Jamie Neild, who rode his first winner under rules aboard Nigel Twiston-Davies' Townshend (20/1) in the Matchbook Amateur Riders' Handicap Chase.

The jockey's father, John, who owns the horse, said: "He (Jamie) has come such a long way, as he had never sat on a horse until he was 19. I'm a bit speechless, which is unusual for me."

Domaine De L'Isle (5/1), trained by Sean Curran and ridden by David Bass, got up late to beat Bennys King by a neck in the bet365 Handicap Chase.

The Matchbook British EBF "National Hunt" Novices' Hurdle (Qualifier) went the way of 2/1 favourite Falco Blitz, ridden by Jeremiah McGrath for Nicky Henderson.