King has Cheltenham in mind

ELGIN proved he was a worthy Cheltenham Festival candidate after posting a ready success in the 32Red Casino Novices' Hurdle at Kempton.

Always travelling well, the 11-2 shot moved through to take command at the head of the field in the two-mile event over the second-last before holding the late rally of hurdling debutant Mohaayed by a length and three quarters.

Odds-on favourite Jenkins was disappointing back in fourth having never travelled.

Winning trainer Alan King said: "He settled lovely today. Newcastle was a good performance, but he did a lot of things wrong that day and still managed to win well.

"He didn't hang today and that could be helped by going right-handed. There was a slight concern the ground might not be soft enough, but Wayne (Hutchinson) said it was on the slow side of good to soft.

"He will have a break now and I suppose it will be one more run then we will look at Cheltenham. He will possibly come back here for the Dovecote."

Meanwhile Royal Vacation was gifted victory after a dramatic conclusion to the 32Red Kauto Star Novices' Chase at Kempton.

Impressive Sandown winner Amore Alato took the field along during the early stages of the three-mile Grade One before the Nicky Henderson-trained Might Bite took over the running heading out for the second circuit.

The seven-year-old produced some bold leaps in the hands of Daryl Jacob and appeared to have the race firmly in safe keeping until he stood too far off the final fence and suffered a crashing fall.

His exit left Colin Tizzard's 33-1 shot Royal Vacation in a clear lead in the colours of Cue Card and he safely negotiated the obstacle to seal a shock 12-length victory.

The well-fancied Frodon was second when he also fell at the last, leaving Virgilio to fill the runner-up spot ahead of Amore Alato.

Irish raider Anibale Fly was the 3-1 favourite but jumped poorly and Barry Geraghty eventually pulled him up in the back straight.