Hampton Novices' Chase report: Next Destination delivers

Off the track for two-and-a-half years, he's two from three this term for new trainer Paul Nicholls and won this despite being first off the bridle in a three-runner contest.

Stamina was the key, Harry Cobden's mount hitting the front after the third last and having bagged the rail turning in, set sail for home.

Fiddlerontheroof went in pursuit and was almost alongside at the last but having had every chance he never looked like going past, the winner scoring by a length-and-a-half.

Cobden said: “He is a little bit more relaxed now and when he has been asked he has jumped pretty well. He has jumped well on the whole.

“He is a bit older and is getting slightly lazier. I don’t mind pushing them for a bit if they keep finding and to be honest he plugged on really well. He swung into the straight and was the one to be shot at. He was long over two out and winged the last and stayed galloping.

“I think in a race where there are more runners you could run him third or fourth and it would be nice to have one to aim at with him. He looks like he stays very well and he has won here and at Newbury so the trip is not an issue.

“I’d say both were good races and he has come out and performed both times, so you have got to be pleased with him.”

Sky Bet cut the winner to 12/1 from 16s both the Festival Novices' Chase and National Hunt Chase, while Betfair and Paddy Power, who are both non-runner/no bet, are 6/1 from 8/1 for the almost-four-miler and 8/1 from 12/1 for the three-mile Grade One.

Michael Shinners, Head of Sports PR at Sky Bet, said: "It was a good performance from Next Destination, who appeared to outstay the opposition. We now go 12/1 from 16/1 for both his possible Cheltenham targets."

However Cobden warned: “I don’t known if he is an RSA horse. The three-mile race at Aintree might suit him. Paul might get him home tonight and think RSA it is, or say ‘right, we will take our time and go for Aintree’.

“One thing I do know is the be all and end all is not Cheltenham in Paul’s mind, so Aintree is on the cards.”

The same team doubled up when Gold Bullion made a winning debut in the closing bumper in the Malcolm Denmark silks.

Assistant trainer Harry Derham said: “That was no surprise as he has been lovely the whole way through. He is a gorgeous horse that is so relaxed.

“He was green coming past the stands, that’s why Harry didn’t want to go too soon, but when he gave him a reminder he took off. He will be a serious novice hurdler over two and half miles.”