Cheltenham round up

Devon handler Nick Williams plainly has a huge prospect on his hands in impressive Cheltenham winner Le Rocher.

Initially campaigned in France, the 2-1 chance put down a marker by taking the Finale Hurdle at Chepstow and took another forward step by coming well away from Kentucky Hyden and favourite Vicenzo Mio to win the JCB Triumph Hurdle Trial by 10 lengths in the hands of Richard Johnson.

Williams must now consider the Triumph itself and said: "It's not every owners' cup of tea and these owners ran one in the Triumph and it probably wasn't the right horse. I think this one could well be. He's handled the course and won on better ground in France, but no decision has been made."

The David Pipe-trained Red Sherlock (9-4) maintained his unbeaten career record with a gutsy display in the Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle.

Tom Scudamore, who was doubling up having earlier been in action at Doncaster, was a little short of room at the bottom of the hill but managed to extricate himself and it soon became a battle with the Irish raider Rathvinden.

Despite Barry Geraghty looking confident on Willie Mullins' charge, he never closed the gap to less than a length and Red Sherlock pulled away to win by two and a half at the line. The front two pulled 29 lengths clear of the third, Aubusson.

Scudamore said: "We got in a bit of a pocket at the top of the hill and he got me out of trouble, that's the sign of a good horse. It's great to get back on him, he's got a great attitude and has taken the step up in class in his stride. I don't think better ground would be a problem to him, I'm sure he'll handle any ground."

Pipe added: "There's lots of emotion, he's a lovely horse out of not a bad mare (Lady Cricket)! He keeps progressing. I thought the market had it right and Willie's was the horse to beat. He stays well and might get further so I'd imagine he'll have entries over two-five and three miles at the Festival."