FIDDLERONTHEROOF led his rivals a merry dance in the Unibet Tolworth Hurdle to put himself bang in the Cheltenham Festival picture.
The improving youngster, who gave his trainer Colin Tizzard a third win in the Sandown Grade 1, was sent off the heavily-punted 5-4 jolly on course.
And the result was rarely in doubt as he cruised through the race under top jock Robbie Power.
His rider let the handbrake off approaching the second last and he immediately galloped clear, with Irish mare Jeremys Flame faring best of the rest in a distant second.
He was slashed into 7s for the Supreme and 12s for the Ballymore with Ladbrokes, and a trip to Prestbury Park in March is definitely on his agenda.
Power grinned: He’s a big boy, and physically he’s got stronger as the year has gone on.
You have to be a strong horse to handle that soft ground and he was very impressive today. The further the race went the happier I was.
The most pleasing part was when I gave him a squeeze going into the second last, he showed a nice turn of foot and did it very easily.
Assistant trainer Joe Tizzard added that a decision would not be made on his Festival target until next month at the earliest.
He said: We aren’t sure what his best trip is, he will probably be given an entry in the Supreme and the Ballymore.
We will have a sit down with Robbie nearer the time and see what is happening ground-wise. Whatever happens, I cant wait to jump a fence with him in future.
In the 100k Veterans Chase, 3-1 favourite Jepeck rallied bravely to win under Rex Dingle having been badly hampered by a loose horse at the last.
Dingle said: He was fantastic for me, his jumping was spot-on.
“It got a bit hairy running down to the last.I thought it might be touch and go when he was messed about. He picked-up again though and was really tough.
Delighted winner trainer Anthony Honeyball had this race in mind for the 11-year-old since February.
He said: Its great when a plan comes together!
