COLIN Tizzard and Emma Lavelle were both left satisfied as Theatre Guide and Fox Appeal shared the spoils following a pulsating climax to the Weatherbys Private Banking Graduation Chase at Kempton.

Just four horses went to post for an extended two-and-a-half-mile contest that has Riverside Theatre and Somersby on the roll of honour, and it was Feltham Novices’ Chase winner Annacotty who took them along.

Bear’s Affair was the first to exit, being pulled up heading into the back straight, while Annacotty continued to make the pace despite jumping out to his left on numerous occasions.

Both 9-4 joint-favourite Fox Appeal and 7-2 chance Theatre Guide loomed up ominously before the home turn and it was Fox Appeal who first took the initiative, with a huge leap at the third-last fence taking him to the front.

Theatre Guide came back to mount a challenge between the final two fences, and pair touched down virtually as one after the last obstacle.

Both horses fought tooth and nail to the line and the judge was unable to split them as they passed the post.

Annacotty, the other joint-favourite, was not disgraced in third.

Milborne Port handler Tizzard said of Theatre Guide: “Last year he was all over the place, but this time he jumped and travelled beautifully.

“The next step will be the Hennessy, and he will probably have about 10lb more than last year (when third). He has been working with Cue Card and that is why he is fit.”

Paddy Power left Theatre Guide unchanged at 25-1 for the Hennessy.