Almost 20mms of rain had fallen here in the preceding 24 hours, making the ground testing for this long-distance novice chase, which was a decent race by course standards and attracted a few decent sorts. Even so, only three were in contention from a long way out, and, in the end, although Tufty Hopper and Jackson were not disgraced in filling the places, ESKIMO PIE came home a ready winner. Arguably handling the ground better than anything else, he came clear inside the final quarter-mile, his first-time blinkers probably helping him in the process. He has his limitations and is not the quickest thing on four legs, but he stays well and deserves to take his chance in the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir, his likely Cheltenham Festival target.

Conversely, Jackson has become a tad disappointing and has yet to match his hurdles form over fences. A mistake at the second-last did not help his cause but it did not stop him winning.

The first three finished miles clear of Mobasher, Beauchamp Prince and Will Of The People, who all, to various degrees, jumped indifferently.

Cupla Cairde went really well for the first two circuits before running out of puff. A drop back in trip might well help.

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