CARTMEL-based racehorse Chief Dan George has won the William Hill Trophy Handicap Chase at a 33-1 shot for trainer Jimmy Moffatt at the Cheltenham Festival.

It is one of the biggest coups for a small stable at the Festival as Moffatt's chaser beat off hot competition to win the extended three mile race to scoop £45,608 in prizemoney and give his lcoal supporters a major pay-day from the bookies.

Jockey Paddy Aspell rode Chief Dan George superbly and a photo-finish with the David Pipe-trained favourite The Package went in favour of the Cumbrian raider, who had drifted from 20-1 in the week to be a 33-1 outsider priced at the off.

Now the Pit Farm stable star - tipped up for Festival glory in last week's Westmorland Gazette - is expected to go for either the Grand National and the Scottish National next month.