A prolific winner of middle-distance races in France for non-thoroughbreds, the rangy five-year-old hinted at more than a bit of ability when touched off by Cracboumwiz on his first start for Nicholls at Newbury last month.

“He’s a chaser in the making, it’s as simple as that,” said Nicholls.

“We probably hadn’t had him long enough before he ran last time. He’ll have a couple more runs this spring before we put him away for chases in the autumn.

“He wasn’t even entered at Cheltenham – it was pointless with next year in mind.”

Inchidaly Rock, in the same green colours of Nicholls’ landlord Paul Barber, then justified his own skinny odds (1-3) in the Deane Veterinary Centre Novices’ Hurdle.

Now defeated just once in six starts including three point-to-point wins, Inchidaly Rock’s only serious opposition came from Tony McCoy and 3-1 second-favourite Jokers Legacy but Walsh bustled him along briefly to pull 10 lengths clear.

“I did enter him for the three-mile novice hurdle at Cheltenham but he won’t be running – he’s another novice chaser for next year,” explained Nicholls.

“He’s got no pedigree and is quite small for one of ours but he might make a nice handicap chaser. We’ll probably find him another novice hurdle for now.”

Aldertune (2-1) does not look to be a stable star but rounded off a good day for Ditcheat in the P.A.S. Sound & Communications-sponsored maiden bumper.

Walsh and Nicholls had to settle for second in the Happy Birthday Joan Ayres 92 Today Beginners’ Chase with Luxurix proving no match for 11-10 jolly Tamadot.

Third in a decent Folkestone event on his first try over fences, Philip Hobbs’ charge attacked the inviting obstacles with relish and set a stiff tempo from the front to march right away.

Hobbs’ wife Sarah reported: “Richard Johnson (jockey) said around two and a half miles in this soft ground is perfect – three miles would be a bit far.

“He jumped superbly and we will probably try to find another little race like this.”

Consigliere (7-2) obliged for the third time in four outings in the Betfair Handicap Chase with Tom Scudamore thwarting the renewed challenge of Katess.

Trainer David Pipe said: “It was a farcical-run race, like the one he won at Towcester and he doesn’t like his head in front too long so Tom said the only thing he did right tactically was win!

“He was frustrating last year but blinkers and tongue-tie have transformed him.”

Bally Conn (9-2) continued to pay his way in the Kibbear Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle.

Totnes handler Martin Hill, whose small string always command respect, intends to strike again while the iron is hot and before the handicapper has his say.