Calipto Triumph bound

Calipto is safely bound for the JCB Triumph Hurdle after proving to be in a different league to his rivals in his Festival warm-up at Newbury.

Paul Nicholls' French recruit had impressed on his British debut at the Hennessy meeting and his reputation was undiminished after cruising five lengths clear as 4-6 favourite for the Cash Out Your Saturday Multiples With Betfair Novices' Hurdle.

"He'll go straight for the Triumph. I've had him entered everywhere but I haven't been able to run him. It wasn't ideal in this ground but it was about the last chance to get him out," said the Ditcheat handler.

"He's National Hunt bred, and it's hard for them in the Triumph, but it's the obvious race and then he could have one more run at Auteuil."

Calipto is 8-1 co-favourite with William Hill and 10s with Boylesports for the Cheltenham contest.

Jonjo O'Neill had Tony McCoy to thank for the drawn-out success of Upswing in the Read Nicholls And McCain Exclusively On Betfair Handicap Hurdle.

Rydon Pynes was starting to cut a lonely figure out in front and McCoy scented victory, galvanising the 11-4 favourite on the run-in to eventually collect by half a length.

The trainer said: "You've got to put that one down to the jockey. For once he listened to me instead of doing his own thing! He's an all right horse, he is progressing but he's a bit soft. He'll go chasing next season."