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Paul Nicholls looks to have unearthed another exciting prospect as Kalif Du Berlais took his career record to three from three with a snug success in the Grade 2 Adonis Juvenile Hurdle at Kempton on Saturday.
The Paul Nicholls-trained 10/11 market leader had to give weight all round courtesy of his French debut success at Compiegne in October, a victory that would see him change hands for a private fee to the formidable Ferguson, Mason, Hales and Done partnership.
A commanding British debut win over this afternoon course and distance would set up a tilt at Grade 2 level for the son of Masked Marvel, a task he navigated successfully after reeling in longtime leader Captain Marvellous before getting the better of main market rival Givemefive (7/2) in the closing stages to score by three parts of a length under champion seeking Harry Cobden.
Paddy Power remained unchanged at 12/1 about the winner collecting the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham next month but a trip to Prestbury Park looks unlikely for Paul Nicholls' promising French recruit.
"He took a bit of time to get going. We went an even gallop, I didn't feel like we were going mad, but I didn't feel like he was going that easy jumping the last down the back and took a little bit of cajoling," Cobden said speaking to ITV Racing.
"He jumped the second last well and winged the last. He's still a big baby and was hanging up the run-in, so there's lots of improvement to come.
"He's massive – he's a big chasing type. I'd probably favour Aintree if it was left up to me, but Paul knows what he's doing."
Nicholls, who was winning the contest for a sixth time, said: "He's shown he can tough it out, he's given them all weight but whether we rode him right, I don't know – I'll see what Harry says.
"He's very much a horse for the future and we'll look after him at the minute, I'm thrilled with that.
"He's had a hard race today, so I'd say he won't run in the Triumph. Aintree is a possibility I suppose, if we're happy, but if he didn't run again (this season) it wouldn't matter.
"As a chaser, he'd be one of the most exciting prospects I've had for a long time, he's got size and scope. To win three as a juvenile at his size is impressive.
"Harry is riding at the top of his game and let's hope he can keep going until the end of the season like that."
Whilst a trip to Cheltenham had been a possibility for runner-up Givemefive, who McDowell owns in partnership with multiple major winner Brooks Koepka, trainer Harry Derham may also look elsewhere with his exciting prospect.
"He's run a brilliant race," said Derham.
"Paul (O'Brien, jockey) and I spoke about it last night and the plan went perfectly and we just said if Cobden gets by us after the last, then so be it.
"I'm extremely proud of my horse's run and he did everything right but just came second.
"Maybe (we'll go to Cheltenham) but there's a Grade 2 at Fairyhouse two weeks later that makes appeal to me. There are loads of options for him.
"I know that horse and he's very genuine. I imagine he'll be very tired, and the lads can't go to Cheltenham. There will be loads of very fresh and well-handicapped horses in the Fred Winter and he won't be fresh, and he won't be well handicapped, so we might swerve that and go elsewhere.
"He's a horse with a bright future and we're looking forward to what's to come."
