William Bonney boosted the Cheltenham Festival hopes of Tidal Bay and Kicks For Free when grinding out victory in the Betrescue antepostmag.com 'National Hunt' Novices' Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham today.

LILIUM DE COTTE, fourth in the Triumph Hurdle last term, made an impressive debut for owner JP McManus and trainer Nicky Henderson at Uttoxeter yesterday.

Tony Dobbin goes to Cheltenham next month with high hopes of adding to his tally of two Festival winners.