WEST Ilsley trainer Mick Channon was magnanimous in defeat after Somersby finished an honourable runner-up to Sire De Grugy in the BetVictor Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown.

Channon’s charge never got in a blow at the winner, who took the honours by four lengths to provide Sussex trainer Gary Moore with his first Grade 1 win.

But Somersby stayed on well under Dominic Elsworth to take second place from Captain Conan.

“We are delighted reallly,” said Channon. “He has come back to form this year which is very pleasing.

“He has probably got beat by a pretty progressive horse of Gary’s. I am pleased with the way we finished. He just missed out the odd fence.

“We want to win, but that’s racing and the winner is a good horse. He didn’t half quicken up the hill there and put it to bed pretty quick.”

Somersby could now go for the Victor Chandler Chase at Ascot next month.

Sire De Grugy will have to face the absent Sprinter Sacre at some point, but Moore is undecided where and when.

“I’m going to have to take him on at some point and I’d rather it was at Kempton,” he said.

“If I want to swerve him I can go to Leopardstown.

“He won’t necessarily go to Cheltenham as I think he needs a more conventional track. I’d like to take him to France at some stage.”