Tamaroc Du Mathan ran out a ready winner of the Close Brothers Pendil Novices' Chase at Kempton.
The even-money favourite chased home Shishkin in the Wayward Lad here over Christmas and travelled strongly for Harry Cobden as he stepped up in trip here.
Turning in he sat third as eventual runner-up Ga Law and Coole Cody tried to go through the gears.
However the winner was was still on the bridle. He was in front by the second last and never in any danger, going on to score by three-and-three-quarter lengths.
Winning trainer Paul Nichols said: “I’m very pleased. We were hopeful that was the right for him. It was the first time he’s won over two and a half (miles), but he got the trip nicely, jumps well and it is good ground. Perfect.
“He has plenty of scope and he surprised Harry (at the last). He came out of his hands. He thought he’d probably get in a bit closer, but it shows he had plenty of energy left. That’s why he’s a novice. It was only his third run over fences and he is still learning. He is so full of enthusiasm, but he has just got to get his act together a bit, but it is just one of those things.
“I suspect he will go to Aintree for the two-and-a-half-mile novice chase or at Ayr the week after for the Future Champions Novices’ Chase over two and a half. I don’t see him going to Cheltenham.”
The Ditcheat handler added: “This was always the perfect race to aim him for. There was nothing else to run him in, really. Those two races (at Aintree and Ayr) would be ideal for him and we will step up in class next year. He’s not exactly well handicapped.
“I think this fella could progress. He is the sort of horse who you’d definitely look at for the likes of the Silviniaco Conte Chase next year over two and half. He’s a young horse and could progress. If you have good horses below the radar that won’t necessarily be going to Cheltenham, then this is a great race for those type of horses.
“I could have run Hitman today if the ground had been a lot easier, but I was worried the ground might have been a bit too fast for him – but this race slots in for those type of horses who are not going to run at Cheltenham.”
