Geos ran out the impressive winner of the Tote Gold Trophy at Newbury today.
Nicky Henderson's ex-French gelding was always in touch under Mick Fitzgerald as Hit And Run cut out the running at a good clip from Blue Royal and Heart as 7-1 joint-favourite Mr Lamb and Tony McCoy parted company at the first flight.
There was little change in the order as the field swung for home with Hit And Run still clear of the chasing pack headed by Geos, Doctor Goddard and Copeland.
But the leader's stride began to shorten two out and Fitzgerald seized his chance driving the 15-2 chance into the lead approaching the last and on touching down the combination shot clear of their rivals to score in great style by 10 lengths from Copeland (8-1) with the game Hit And Run (16-1) a head back in third. Doctor Goddard (7-1 joint-favourite) finished fourth.
Geos was giving Henderson his second success in the race in the last three years following Sharpical's victory in 1998.
Henderson said: 'The rain came to help him at the last minute. It was good ground yesterday and Mick thought that he might be on the wrong horse.
'But it rained this morning - we got drowned at home. He loves this soft ground.
'This horse has had a lot of experience - he even won over fences in France and he'd run two genuine races for us at Sandown at Leopardstown.'
