Holywell winning at Aintree last year© Photo Healy Racing
Cheltenham Gold Cup aspirant Holywell got his season back on track by predictably outclassing his rivals in the Ivan Straker Memorial Chase at Kelso.
Jonjo O'Neill's eight-year-old looked every inch a possible contender for chasing's blue riband after triumphs at Cheltenham and Aintree last spring, but he had failed to reproduce that level of performance so far this season.
After finishing third behind subsequent Hennessy hero Many Clouds on his Carlisle comeback, Holywell parted company with Richie McLernon at Aintree in December, but he was the 1-4 favourite for his Scottish assignment. With Tony McCoy back in the saddle, he was soon bowling along at the head of affairs and although his jumping could not be classed as exuberant, it was assured for much of the three-mile-two-furlong contest.
With nearest pursuer Rose Of The Moon folding tamely in the back straight, the odds-on favourite was in a clear lead once straightened up for home and safely negotiated the remaining obstacles to seal a wide-margin success.
Fentara was 25 lengths away in second, ahead of Diocles in third.
Paddy Power responded by clipping Holywell to 8-1 from 9-1 for the Gold Cup on March 13, with Coral leaving him unchanged at 10-1.
