SOMCHINE upset the odds to win the feature 188bet.co.uk Handicap Chase at Hereford Racecourse on Saturday.

The race was expected to be a match-off between the top stables of trainers Paul Nicholls and Venetia Williams, who sent out the favourite Sirabad and second-favourite Plaisir D’amor respectively.

But but it was 14/1 shot Somchine who took the £15,000 first prize.

Sirabad was a spent force at the third from last fence and that was where Somchine swept into contention.

Somchine then lead at the penultimate fence before drawing clear to win by four lengths from runner-up Lord Ben, with Plasir D’amour a disappointing third a further six lengths further back and Sirabad a faller at the final fence.

"We were tapped for speed early on as the early pace was quite quick but I gave him time and I probably hit the front too soon," said successful jockey Daniel Sansom.

Pandy trainer Nikki Evans sent out Late Shipment in the extended three mile Handicap Hurdle and the six-year-old son of Authorized won for the third time of asking at the track with an impressive seven length win.

Kept prominent by jockey Robert Williams, Late Shipment thrived over the trip and Evans said: "He seems to enjoy it around here as this is his third win here this year.

"I thought the handicapper might have been a bit harsh upping him to 13 pounds, but I was wrong and I’ll be hoping that there is a race for him at the last meeting."

Richard Johnson supporters thought that they had secured the final win of the meeting as his well supported 6/4 favourite Rolling Dylan led in the extended three mile novices hurdle and seemed to have fought off the challenge of Zero Grand at the final hurdle.

Zero Grand and his jockey Brendan Powell had other ideas and refused to give up and rallied on the run in to win a battling finish by a head, completing a double for the jockey and trainer Johnny Farrelly who had earlier scored with Crown Hill in the novice handicap chase.