Martin Pipe added another possible string to his Cheltenham bow when newcomer Team Tassel won impressively at Market Rasen yesterday following the dramatic departure of odds-on favourite Trabolgan.

Team Tassel produced a jumping masterclass under Tony McCoy to brush the opposition aside, beating Rambling Minster by two lengths in the European Breeders Fund 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle Qualifier.

But it is impossible to know what might have happened had not Trabolgan, a leading fancy for the Royal & SunAlliance Novices' Hurdle at the Festival, been pulled up by Marcus Foley before the fourth flight.

Foley revealed that he had called it a day on the Nicky Henderson-trained 4-7 shot for safety reasons after the six-year-old hit the second hurdle.

The jockey said: ''I honestly thought he'd broken his leg. I jumped the third and he was pottering over, and I thought it would be far better to be safe than sorry.

''His head was tilting to one side and I didn't want to risk going round again.''

Later inspection revealed no injury and although Trabolgan had lost his action, he appeared sound.

There was more drama when Viciana, who was contesting the lead down the straight, fell at the last, leaving jockey Philip Hide with a broken collarbone.

Matt Archer, joint-owner of Team Tassel, said: ''I'm absolutely delighted. He's ever such a nice horse and I hope he goes on from here.

''It helped when the favourite was out of it, but you've still got to win them.

''It's obviously up to Martin (Pipe) and I'd never make that decision, but Cheltenham would be nice.''

l Nicky Henderson, whose record in the Tote Gold Trophy in recent years is second to none, spoke confidently about the chances of Geos in Saturday's contest.

The master of Seven Barrows has won the race three times in the last six years, including with Geos in 2000, and was second with Non So 12 months ago.

''I think everybody is underestimating Geos, who isn't badly handicapped on his very best form,'' said Henderson. ''Marcus Foley will ride him and Andrew Tinkler will ride Saintsaire."

Tote Gold Trophy betting:

Tote: 6-1 Limerick Boy, Sporazene, 13-2 Rooster Booster, 11-1 Hasty Prince, 12-1 Georges Girl, Perouse, 14-1 Tom Paddington, 16-1 Geos, Never, Self Defense, 18-1 Rigmarole, 20-1 Risky Reef, Saintsaire, 25-1 Demi Beau, 28-1 Benbyas, Contraband, Monkerhostin, Sud Bleu, 33-1 bar.