Well clear and travelling strongly, he only had to jump the last to come home an easy winner – but unfortunately that is exactly what he failed to do and Luzcadou was left to claim the spoils.

Prior to that he had made all to win at this track over hurdles, being full value for his eight-length margin over Armaguedon.

He has precious few miles on the clock for a horse of his age and has always gone well fresh in the past – he defied a similar absence to win at Ayr a couple of years ago.

The likes of Grey Abbey and a whole host of others have ensured County Durham handler Howard Johnson has hit the headlines on a consistent basis this season.

Anything from his powerful yard merits plenty of respect at the moment and he saddles recent course and distance winner Galero for his principal owner Graham Wylie in the European Breeders Fund ‘NH’ Novices’ Hurdle.

The six-year-old may only have had three-quarters of a length to spare at the finish but never flinched when asked to dig deep and is sure to have improved for the experience.

And the Johnson-Wylie team could well double up with former useful Flat handicapper Credit in the Happy Birthday Barbara Ramshay Juvenile Novices’ Hurdle.

Escompteur should enjoy a confidence-boosting success in the European Breeders Fund ‘NH’ Novices’ Hurdle at Fontwell.

The ex-French five-year-old would undoubtedly have recorded a hat-trick of wins for Martin Pipe had he not crashed out two from home when five lengths clear at Exeter back in November.

That was still an eyecatching effort as he had not been asked a question and would have been defying a 12lb penalty had he stood up.

He then took his chance in the valuable Ladbroke Hurdle at Sandown but pulled too hard for his own good, though he was not totally disgraced in finishing 12th in such a competitive affair.

This should prove an ideal stepping-stone before a return to better company at the Cheltenham Festival.