Bridget Andrews conjured a winning effort out of Faivoir to land the Sky Bet Supreme Trial at Haydock at the expense of Minella Drama.
Registered as the Rossington Main Novices' Hurdle, the race has been won by Cinders And Ashes, Neon Wolf, First Flow and Mister Fisher in recent years and trainer Dan Skelton was winning for the second time following on from Its'afreebee's 2016 success.
The Donald McCain yard has been in flying form this year and always do well at Haydock, so it was no surprise to see Minella Drama make a bold bid as he tried to land a hat-trick under Sam Twiston-Davies.
It looked for all money like he'd get home in the final furlong, but Andrews nudged and cajoled Faivoir into contention from off the pace and just got there to win by a neck.
The pair were 13 lengths clear of the third with the 13/8 favourite, Llandinabo Lad, most disappointing and he finished last of the five runners.
The bookmakers didn't feel the performance would have too much of a bearing on the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, quoting the winner at 25s for the meeting's curtain raiser.
Sky Bet spokesman Michael Shinners said: "That was a really game performance from Falvoir who just got the better of Minella Drama. The front two pulled well clear and with this in mind we are 25/1 for the Sky Bet Supreme."
Betfair cut the winner to 12s from 20s for the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury in February, where he'll run under a 5lb penalty.
Delighted
Andrews said: “I’m delighted for the horse and the owners. He has been brilliant for me as I’m four from four on him now. I didn’t know if he would be good enough today.
“He travelled really strongly and I thought I’d done too much. On this ground the trip is fine. You see today he travelled almost too well but we were keen to jump him up out there. I think he is happier when he is carting you along a bit but the trip is fine for the moment but there is no doubt in time he will want further.
“He is still quite green and he has probably got an awkward way of going. He did lug in behind a bit but when I pulled him upsides I was away then.”
Faivoir holds an entry in the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury and is receiving quotes for the Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March, but Andrews said she was unsure of future targets.
She added: “I don’t know what Dan has got planned for him. We tried him in a handicap around Sandown and I don’t think he liked the hustle and bustle. This was ideal, five runners. He might go to Cheltenham if the owners want to have a crack and there would be no harm, but he will be a nice horse for next year.”