Trainer Richard Lee unveiled ambitious plans for Nemisto following the gelding's narrow verdict over Captain Dee Cee in the Entertain At Chepstow Novices' Hurdle at the Welsh course yesterday.

"He will probably have a little break now and then go to the Punchestown Festival in May and go for the Champion Hurdle now Istabraq doesn't run, as there will probably be only a few runners and the place money is very good," revealed Lee.

"If we don't run in that he will definitely go for a valuable 0-135 handicap hurdle at the meeting where I also intend running Macgeorge in the Heineken Gold Cup Chase. I love going over there and it will make a nice working holiday."

After Nemisto had short-headed Captain Dee Cee under Adrian Maguire in a driving finish, Lee added: "I was proud of the horse today as he was very tough under what was a vintage Maguire ride.

"In actual fact we probably rode this horse wrongly last time in the Imperial Cup at Sandown where he was beaten only nine lengths as we held him up rather than let him stride nearer the pace.

"He's been a real fun horse since we bought him last autumn."