The writing was on the wall for his rivals as he hit the front still full of running after jumping the second from home and he only had to be kept up to his work to take the Grade Two prize by five lengths from Tarablaze.

“We have always thought Hell’s Bay was a very nice horse and he has improve physically,” Nicholls told BBC Sport.

“We had to make our mind up whether we wanted to stay hurdling or go chasing but I’d say we’ll be staying hurdling with him for now.”