Tony McCoy made all aboard the seven-year-old and he travelled well throughout before holding the persistent challenge of Cornish Sett – who made a mistake at the final fence – on the run-in to score by two and a half lengths.

“He had a terrible journey over,” said Sheehy. “The travelling arrangements did not work out and we were on the road for 16 hours yesterday.

“We left home at 3.30am and got here at seven last night but at least the horse was able to get his head down for a couple of hours.

“Tony said he went pretty quick down the back straight and he was idling a bit on his own in front.

“But he was pleased with the way the horse picked up again when he was challenged and I’m happy if he’s happy.

“It was always the plan to come to somewhere in England before Cheltenham and also to silence the critics a bit and give him some more experience of a left-handed track.

“He will go for the Irish Arkle (at Leopardstown on January 29) and then hopefully back to Cheltenham as long as the ground isn’t firm.

“I’ve put him in the Queen Mother as well as the way the Irish horses are dropping out, you never know what is going to be left! The Arkle is the main target though.”

McCoy completed a 6-1 double with another win for favourite-backers when Rubberdubber (100-30) took the M and C Carpets Handicap Chase for Charlie Egerton.

Detroit City entered the reckoning for the JCB Triumph Hurdle when putting a disappointing jumps debut behind him to take the opening contest.

A useful performer on the Flat for Jeremy Noseda, the grey was bought by Rooster Booster’s owner, Terry Warner, last July.

Detroit City (8-1) was well beaten in bottomless ground at Warwick at the start of last month but he bounced back to his best here, seeing off favourite Royals Darling by a length and a half in the Berkshire Stand Bookshop Juvenile Novices’ Hurdle.

Detroit City is 33-1 for the Triumph with Totesport but as short as 20-1 with Coral.

“I’ve got two or three more four-year-olds to run in the next couple of weeks who could yet become Triumph Hurdle contenders but this horse would definitely be the highest-rated on the Flat,” said trainer Philip Hobbs.

“He did well to win here considering he was hampered in that melee at the first.”

The incident Hobbs referred to came when two horses fell bringing down three others, including the well-fancied Prize Fighter.

Nicky Henderson sent out a one-two at his local track in the Fabulous Fakes Novices’ Hurdle – although he admitted he might have to make an apologetic phone call to the Queen before he went to bed.

Her Majesty’s horse, Shining Strand, was outpointed from the last by stablemate Wogan – the 9-4 favourite – having led his rivals a merry dance for most of the way.

Henderson described it as “the perfect result”.

“Shining Strand refused to race at Doncaster last time but I thought coming here might help him and the lad that rides him out every day was down at the start to help,” the trainer said.

“He made the winner work quite hard but it’s good to get a one-two – it shows at the very least that the horses are running well.

“They are both going to make smashing chasers in time.”

Sonevafushi jumped his rivals into the ground to run out a clear-cut winner of the Three Swans Handicap Chase.

“He is a very good jumper of a fence and he enjoyed himself,” said the trainer. “I am sure the handicapper will have his say now but I wouldn’t be too keen about running him under a penalty as he likes his races fairly well spaced out.”