So much for Monks contact - result below
Pipped on the line...... but had an each way cover bet so not too bad.... interestingly the price for Cheltenham has had been reduced but only from 11/4 to 5/2 - brilliant ride by Ruby.
Bottom line is all AAM should be on this one for Cheltenham!
Report below
------------------
Isio prevails in battle for VC honours
ISIO (4-1) just prevailed in a thrilling renewal of the £120,000 Victor Chandler Chase at Ascot on Saturday.
Nicky Henderson's runner just got the better of gallant top weight Azertyuiop (7-2) in the two-mile feature after the two were in the air together at the last.
The pair were neck and neck all the way to the line but the concession of 19lb to the winner just proved too much for Paul Nicholls' charge.
"I thought we were beaten going to the last. He's not the biggest but he's got a heart of gold," Henderson said.
"It was a great race - a thrill for us, but you feel sorry for the second horse because under that weight he has run an amazing race."
Nicholls said of the runner-up: "That was a fantastic run, not least because he will have learnt more today than any other race he has had over fences.
Gambled-on Irish raider Native Scoutwas towards the rear, along with Redemption, who made a mistake at the first and parted company with Tom Scudamore not long after.
Turning for home Azertyuiop was looming large behind Isio and the race looked to be between the two as Native Scout got serious reminders from Barry Geraghty.
There was nothing between Isio and Azertyuiop over the last and the latter looked at one point to have got his head in front.
But Isio was nothing if not game and made his weight advantage count close home for a neck victory.
Got One Too was a further nine lengths away.