Cheltenham© Photo Healy Racing
Lil Rockefeller could be next seen at the Cheltenham Festival as he continued his rise through the ranks with an impressive success in the totepool National Spirit Hurdle at Fontwell on Sunday.
Always travelling well in the hands of Trevor Whelan, the 7-4 favourite looked in a different league to his rivals to join the likes of Baracouda, My Way De Solzen and Celestial Halo on the list of names that have won the Grade Two prize. Ubak took the field along on his switch back to smaller obstacles and was still in there pitching alongside the eventual winner and San Benedeto on the run to the final two flights of the two-mile-three-furlong prize.
In truth there was only ever going to be one winner with Whelan easing his mount into a lead he was not to surrender over two out.
Keeping up his gallop all the way to the line, the five-year-old could afford to be eased close home, crossing the line nine lengths clear of Ubak.
Trainer Neil King said afterwards: "He is a lovely character and a fun horse. I used him as my hack yesterday and he cleared off with me on the grass. Trevor gave him a superb ride.
"He does take his racing very well and he has not had a hard race. I'm sure everyone would love to go to Cheltenham, but if he doesn't go to Cheltenham there is always Punchestown.
"He is in the Coral Cup and the World Hurdle and we will go home and have a look.
"He might just have too much weight for the Coral Cup, but in all honesty he is an improving horse.
"He wants two and a half and I think he will be better over further. This is probably the biggest winner I've had. It means a lot to win the race with him and he has not let me down.
"If I'd have been beaten today I would have been seriously unhappy. In truth if I had one little worry it was the track as it was the sharpest track I've run him on, but he has hosed up.
"We've won the Highland National and the Kent National, but I am thrilled to win the National Spirit.
"I think he is still improving and that's the exciting bit about it. I came here wanting to win the race, but I didn't expect to win it on the bridle."
