Sir Valentino provides first big prize for Heskin and George

Following a prolonged duel from the final fence, it was Sir Valentino who emerged the short head winner of Exeter's big race of the year as he inched out the attentions of favourite Garde La Victoire by a short head.

Although question marks were hanging over Garde La Victoire after falls in his last two chases at Cheltenham and Aintree in the Spring, he put in a clear round on this occasion before finding the Tom George-trained winner just too strong at the line.

George said: "He toughed it out and I wondered if we had reached our peak handicap wise, but thankfully I was wrong. I think 2m1f around a stiff course like Exeter is the optimum trip for him, as we ran him in the Summer Plate at Market Rasen and he travelled well before finding the trip beyond him.