Robin Dickin was relieved to see stable star Restless Harry get off the mark for the season in the Alice & George & Terry Peak Graduation Chase at Newbury.
A class act on his day in staying hurdles, Restless Harry (5-4 favourite) has not yet shone over fences but was never really challenged by his four rivals as Henry Oliver pushed him 11 lengths clear of Tullamore Dew.
"He jumped really well, he just took a look at the ditches. He's had problems with his muscles, it might have been that at Ascot last time, but he finished so tired on his first start this season at Wetherby, and he has never done that before," said Dickin.
"I think he will now run in the valuable three-mile-and-five handicap chase at Warwick on January 12 and then maybe the four-miler at Cheltenham, although I won't rule the World Hurdle out yet."
Robbie Dunne performed perhaps the recovery of the season at the last meeting and confirmed his ability at the Berkshire course when taking the Powersolve Electronics Greatwood Charity Handicap Chase.
The conditional, who had somehow remained aboard Rigadin De Beauchene when he crashed through a fence here late last month, created an equally cohesive partnership with the Venetia Williams-trained stablemate Sustainability (7-2).
Dunne drove the chestnut clear in the home straight, and said: "He's a horse who just gallops, which is why I was positive on him, and he was idling at the end."
Uxizandre (5-1), who was third on his debut for Alan King at Market Rasen, put things right in the British Stallion Studs EBF "National Hunt" Novices' Hurdle (Qualifier).
Anthony Bromley, of owners Million In Mind Partnership, said: "Alan was disappointed he got beaten last time but he's a nice horse and will be aimed towards the final of this race."
Brendan Powell's Reach The Beach (10-1) kept her unbeaten record intact in the EBF Kentford Racing bumper for junior fillies.
18 June 2013
Stevens is king of the CastleO'Neill ace proves too sharp
Ballydoyle in command in Coventry
Dawn delivers in thriller
Sole powers to sprint glory
Al Thani snaps up Sandiva
O'Brien sounds War cry
Minute's silence remembers Cecil
Duntle on Cambridge duty
Alive and Just in Ribblesdale mix
Passage heads Gold field
Deegan considers Soprano options
Toro out for Palace glory
Cecil's words not lost on Ponsonby
Dawn out for Palace redemption
Hawkwood supplemented for Hardwicke
Flotilla To Drop Back In Trip
Cecil's Chigun in Cambridge action
Al Kazeem and Camelot clash again
De Kock hoping to make history
War ready for Royal Ascot battle
Kingdom set to reign over Ascot
17 June 2013
Magician set for Palace showdownCat clings on for Carroll
Three more winners for Lady Cecil
Monaghan delivers on Midnight
Treve in stunning Diane win
Sapphire target for Trees
Beckett mulls Secret options
Nicholls has broken wrist
16 June 2013
Songbird aiming to fly highMovie has Newmarket on radar
Fahey juveniles primed for action
Stubbs leads O'Brien Coventry team
Salsify on summer break
Kempton target for Benbulben
Top trio head Palace runners
Shea Shea shoots for Stand glory
Animal heads Queen Anne field
Saint-Cloud aim for Dunaden
Magician to be declared for Palace
Soul all heart in York sprint
Kingsgate rules Musselburgh
Sam too sharp for rivals
Hughes makes it pay with Knight
Balding on mark with double
Morawij in a hurry in Scurry
Bartley is queen for a day
Big guns to clash in Coronation
15 June 2013
Marengo set for battle royalSaddler's ready to rock - Oxx
Soprano primed to hit right notes
Balding receives OBE
Victory on a plate for Montaser
Magician run in the balance
Secret set to make Ascot stand
Probert return delayed
Nagle covers Maarek options
Ribblesdale chance for Lark
Walker hoping Guns will fire
Estimate in Royal Gold run