Racing:Nick Williams has another bright young prospect in Pistolet Noir, who stayed on best of all in the Prestbury Juvenile Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham. An inexperienced French-bred running against mostly more worldly-wise opponents, the 7-2 shot travelled like a dream for Daryl Jacob just off the 5-4 favourite Barizan.
Pistolet Noir was in charge by the final flight and although he drifted across the track, he had nine lengths in hand by the line.
Williams was not present but his wife Jane said: "It was only his second run - he ran very green at Chepstow but he came on for it.
"It was tough to take on Flat-bred horses but because he's jumps bred, he went on the ground. He's only tiny but he has a hell of a stride on him."
Useful staying hurdler Pettifour was made to work very hard to justify odds of 8-11 in the Ultima Frontrunner In IT Solutions Novices' Chase.
Nigel Twiston-Davies' gelding has been billed as one of the best prospects to go over fences this season and he jumped and moved well in the main under Paddy Brennan.
At many points victory looked a formality but Toby Jug (5-2) just would not go away and began to pour on the pressure in the run for home. Although he was tired, Pettifour reached the post with a length and a half in hand.
"It's very tough for a young horse first time over fences, they need all the help they can get and he had none," said the trainer.
"I was delighted with the way he jumped. The plan at the start of the season wasn't to go chasing but he got beaten so far by Fair Along at Wetherby we didn't think he was in the right class to remain in the top staying hurdles.
"I'm pleased he has passed his first test and I hope he wins a few more. He'll have an entry in the RSA Chase back here in March and long-term I'm thinking of the Scottish National."
Pettifour's price for the RSA remained generally unchanged at around 20-1.
Ferdy Murphy pulled off a fine gamble in the Servo Trophy Handicap Chase through bottom-weight Galant Nuit.
A typically interesting stayer from the stable, he was backed into 9-2 favourite from much bigger prices and was given a masterful ride from Graham Lee, who sat patiently off the pace.
As Hello Bud's game front-running effort ran out, Galant Nuit took up the gauntlet after the last and scraped home by half a length from Don't Push It, who flew late under a desperate Tony McCoy drive.
Murphy said: "Graham is great - sometimes he makes all but nine times out of 10 he drops them in.
"I'd say he'll probably go for the Eider and won't run until then. He'll definitely make a National horse one day too."
Jonjo O'Neil said of the runner-up: "He had a great spin around and jumped and travelled really well.
"I was a little worried about the ground as he hasn't run that far on heavy before but I was delighted with his performance.
"He is going on 10 now so we have no option but to keep him at these staying trips, and if he keeps jumping like that he could be one for the Grand National."