El Vaquero (right) at the last.

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Henrietta Knight's El Vaquero stayed on bravely up the run-in to take a thrilling totesport Scilly Isles Novices' Chase at Sandown.

Ashley Brook, partnered by Rodi Greene, who retires from riding at the end of Saturday, forced a strong early pace in the Grade One contest along with Lacdoudal as Jim Culloty settled El Vaquero in behind.

The leading pair wound the gallop up from some way out and they looked likely to pay for their early efforts as Le Passing moved up strongly on the outside to join them.

Lacdoudal was not done with, however, and went with Le Passing, who made a costly mistake at the second-last.

Ashley Brook and El Vaquero forced their way into the battle and coming to the last all four had a chance, but Ashley Brook made a bad error.

El Vaquero galloped on gamely down the outside to strike the front and the 4-1 shot came home two lengths clear of Le Passing, with Lacdoudal a head further away in third.

El Vaquero looks likely to sidestep the Cheltenham Festival, with Miss Knight - who won this race four years ago with Best Mate - favouring a target at Aintree in April instead.

She said: "He never really seemed to look happy out there, but then none of the others were looking happy either.

"I think the ground must be pretty testing, which would not suit him at all. He looks like he stays well enough and he will be a lovely horse for the future.

"The owner doesn't seem that keen on going to Cheltenham and I would be quite happy to give it a miss.

"Something at Aintree may be more suitable if the ground is all right."