The talented Rockforce will be sorely missed for the remainder of the campaign after picking up an injury on his way to triumph at Ascot today.
He courageously shrugged off an injury to his off-fore to defeat Celibate by one and a quarter lengths in the #65,000 Mitsubishi Shogun Ascot Chase to make it four wins from four outings this season.
But for an unlucky fall last season at Newton Abbot _ he was clear at the final fence _ Rockforce would have been making it eight chasing wins in a row.
It soon became evident that Rockforce had paid a heavy price for his efforts as Joe Tizzard dismounted and the eight-year-old hobbled into the winner's enclosure.
"Joe said that he broke down going to the second last fence otherwise he would have won much more easily," said trainer Paul Nicholls.
"It shows what a brave horse he is that he was able to battle on even after sustaining the injury.
"When he first came to us from Mick Channon we had to have him fired and he had 17 months off. Then he had more leg problems after winning at this meeting last year.
"We've kept patching him up and we've been living on borrowed time.
"I did say that he would be going straight to Cheltenham after his last win but this was a good prize and there was always the possibility the ground would be against him at Cheltenham anyway.
"It's unfortunate that he won't be going to Cheltenham but at least he's gone out with the big win he deserves.
"He's a seriously talented horse and he'll be given the best of care. We'll try to get him back for next season."
Nordance Prince already looked beaten when crashing heavily five from home, while Strong Promise flattered briefly before fading in the straight to finish third, 28 lengths behind Celibate.
"The ground would have been a bit soft for him and he probably needs at least three miles now," said trainer Chris Kinane. Given suitable conditions Strong Promise might try his luck in the Racing Post Chase a week today.
Teaatral's emphatic victory in the William Hill Internet _ No Tax Handicap Hurdle gave a strong hint that Charlie Egerton's horses are beginning to emerge from the doldrums in the nick of time for Cheltenham.
The 5-1 chance stayed on strongly from the final flight to defeat the pacesetter Pealings by 11 lengths.
Egerton is responsible for the exciting Decoupage, a short-priced favourite for the Irish Independent Arkle Challenge Trophy.
He reported the horse right on course for Cheltenham and said: "I'm not worried that he will be going there without the benefit of a recent run."
Egerton reports all of his string in much better form now after a flat spell.
"Everything was going to plan until the wheels started falling off in December," he said. "The horses had a viral infection but I just had to keep my cool and wait for things to come right."
Beau underlined his credentials for Cheltenham's Royal & SunAlliance Chase with a convincing victory in the Gerrard Group Reynoldstown Novices' Chase.
His winning margin was only one and a quarter lengths over Good Lord Murphy but there was probably more in the locker if Carl Llewellyn had needed it.
The favourite Zafarabad, trained by Alan King, failed to fire and already appeared beaten when unseating rider Richard Johnson.
Beau's trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies said: "He did well to give weight away to the others and was idling at the finish.
"He was jumping a little left so Cheltenham should suit him even better."
Blowing Wind, with the considerable assistance of Tony McCoy, just held the late flourish of Mr Markham by a neck in the Shenley Enterprises Novices' Chase.
Toto Toscato, also trained by King, faded into third after looking the likely winner coming into the straight.
Martin Pipe, the trainer of Blowing Wind, said: "The way he was jumping you would have thought he would be capable of handling the Grand National fences.
