Four-miler at Cheltenham a possibility for No More Heroes

Each passing festival provides a window into the burgeoning talents of trainer Gordon Elliott, and the Co Meath handler capped another fine week by taking the Grade 1 Neville Hotels Novice Chase with top-class prospect No More Heroes.

Only four went to post and No More Heroes was sent off the 4-9 chase to extend his unblemished over fences but the opposition, though in short supply, included Irish Grand National runner-up Rule The World, and a three-time Grade 2 winning hurdler in the shape of Monksland.

Understandably, in very testing conditions, the early pace was modest and No More Heroes, whose jumping was exceptional in the Drinmore, was clean but unimpressive over the first few obstacles. However, as the race progressed and the tempo increased, his scope became blatantly obvious, and when he soared across the second-last he looked in in command. The experienced Rule The World went in chase but Bryan Cooper had matters in control aboard the favourite, and they galloped clear from the final fence.