And she could now revert to timber on her next outing – should she get her favoured fast ground at Prestbury Park on March 14.

Trainer Emma Lavelle said: “She has had a break waiting for better ground, but could have done with it even quicker than this.

“The Mares’ Final at Newbury is an option but that is a handicap and, as she was rated 140 over hurdles, I would have to see what the handicapper gave her before committing to the race.

“I have entered her in the David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham and that is another possibility if the ground came up quick.”

Philip Hobbs was in double form with his 7-1 brace highlighted by 10-11 favourite Hibiki’s success in the Alfa Aggregates Products Novices’ Hurdle.

Although entered in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, the mount of Richard Johnson appears a more likely candidate for the Fred Winter for which VC Bet quote him at 16-1.

The Minehead handler’s assistant Tim Dennis said: “We put him away after his last win over the course and distance to wait for better ground.

“He has the option of going to Cheltenham now for the Fred Winter and there is no reason not to go as he has plenty of experience.”

Hobbs and Johnson added to their tally as 100-30 favourite Petitjean came from the clouds to claim the £15,000 Forbra Gold Cup Challenge Cup.

The market leader hadn’t jumped that well but stormed down the straight and was just getting the better of an argument with Paxford Jack when his rival crashed out at the last, leaving the eight-year-old to collect by seven lengths.

Dennis said: “It has been well advertised he is best fresh and he well first time out this season in a competitive race won by Knowhere.

“He’s not the sort of horse you’d run again next week and we’ll probably freshen him up and give him about six weeks before his next outing.”

Nigel Twiston-Davies’ Major Malarkey (4-1) made light of his first venture into handicap company with a smooth victory under Paddy Brennan in the betterbetcorbett.co.uk “National Hunt” Novices’ Handicap Hurdle.

Twiston-Davies said: “He will see out this season over hurdles and will be heading over fences next winter. He is a proper horse.”

Aidan Coleman advertised his talents by ensuring 7-2 joint favourite Mendosino held the lead at the post in the Pertemps People Development Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle, with Red Brook Lad (2-1) claiming the Chase Meredith Memorial Trophy.

Godfrey Maundrell’s Flowing On (15-2) could be called the winner of the Mick & Eileen Fletcher Ruby Anniversary Mares Only Intermediate Open National Hunt Flat Race some way out, eventually collecting by three lengths.