Elixir De Nutz took the Grade 1 Tolworth Hurdle in a good style for trainer Colin Tizzard as the market leader for the race Rathill trained by Nicky Henderson flopped.
The race was ran at a modest pace with Elixir De Nutz doing what he does best and leading from the front. Rathill never looked comfortable all the way round with Barry Geraghty constantly giving him reminders a long way out.
The Tizzard horse turned the screw with two fences left to jump and only the Paul Nicholls trained Grand Sancy could go with him and it set up a really interesting finish.
With one flight left to jump Grand Sancy came up alongside the winner but the five year old for rider Tom O'Brien dug deep and was ridden out well to the line to land the contest by half a length.
the short priced favourite Rathill was very disappointing for Henderson and his targets will have to be reflected on when looking back at this performance.
Elixir De Nutz is a horse going places and his front running tactics seem to set the race up perfectly for him each time after previous to this landing two good contests at Cheltenham.
If he heads to the festival in March it will most likely be in the Supreme Novices Hurdle and his odds have been slashed from 22/1 before the race to now 12/1 in places.
(Credit Racing TV)