Self Defense hits the front. (Getty Images)

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A sad week came to a happy end for Patrick Chamings as Self Defense got the better of Rooster Booster at Sandown Park on Saturday.

Twelve months ago to the corresponding day, Kings Mistral gave the trainer his biggest success when taking the Agfa Diamond Handicap Chase.

But the 12-year-old died after a colic attack earlier this week, and that cast a shadow over the stable which was partially lifted by the success of 5-1 chance Self Defense in the Agfa Hurdle.

Coming into the £30,000 race, the score between Rooster Booster and his rival stood at 5-0 in the grey's favour.

But Robert Thornton gave the winner a perfect waiting ride, pouncing on the run-in to deny Rooster Booster a popular first success of the season.

Rank outsider Cool Roxy caused early palpitations when setting an astonishing gallop that saw him go all but a furlong clear of his five rivals after just a couple of hurdles.

But predictably the toil of those efforts started to show around the home turn and it was Rooster Booster who swept past approaching the second-last flight,

However, he has never been the most convincing battler when hitting the front and by the time he reached the last, he looked a sitting duck.

And Self Defense, switched left to the stands rail, led soon after and stayed on to score by three lengths.

In a year in which serious British challengers for the Smurfit Champion Hurdle are few and far between, Self Defense and Rooster Booster may prove to be the pick of the bunch and William Hill are now offering 4-1 about any home-trained horse landing the spoils.

"He deserved to win this and he's going for the Champion," said Chamings.

"This race was all about Rooster Booster. I told Robert that we had to track him all the way, and he gave him a perfect ride.

"Our best result at Cheltenham was when Holland House came second in the Foxhunters. It would be nice to think this horse could also finish in the frame."

Self Defense is 20-1 with most firms to go three places better than when fourth to Rooster Booster in the race two years ago. Irish layers Cashmans offer 50-1.

For Rooster Booster's trainer, Philip Hobbs, there was a definite sense of deja vu.

"He got left in front a bit when the leader stopped so suddenly, and as we have seen so many times before, he doesn't find a lot in that situation," he said.

"Basically it was another messy race, like so many of these small-field contests are.

"He has run well but in a way I feel like I have messed things up by running him here instead of next week at Newbury in the totesport Trophy."

Hobbs, however, did hint that the 11-year-old was far from a certain non-runner in that race.

"I don't want to say anything until I have spoken to his owner, Terry Warner, who is on holiday in Tenerife," said Hobbs. "I'll think about it."