Timmy Murphy's mount was sent off a 13/2 chance for a red-hot running of this race, but he made a mockery of those odds as he jumped into the lead two out and pulled well clear of his rivals racing up the Cheltenham hill to score by a wide margin from the well regarded Captain Chris, who plugged on to edge out Loosen My Load for second.
Ghizao had evidently come on for his first taste of fences here last month, when he finished second behind Kilmurry, who was the first one beaten this time. The winner was immediately made the new favourite with bookmakers for the Irish Independent Arkle Trophy after this win and is currently best-priced 12/1 (with Paddy Power and Stan James).
That race is now very much on the agenda according to Nicholls, who said: "The obvious race for him now would be the Henry VIII Novices' Chase at Sandown but I had not thought further than today. Obviously the Arkle will now be a priority for him."
He added: "He worked brilliantly in the week with Master Minded, that was the best piece of work he has done and it made me think we were getting somewhere. We have always believed in him but he delivered today."
Ghizao is being aimed at the 2011 Arkle Chase at Cheltenham
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