REVE De Sivola is a remarkable staying hurdler who has earned well over half a million pounds for his connections.

Given that he has strict limitations – he was always left well behind by Big Buck’s and seldom made much of an impression in the World Hurdle – his record is quite extraordinary and last Saturday he added to it with a third straight victory in the Grade 1 JLT Long Walk Hurdle.

Allowed to start at 13/2, he prevailed in very game fashion, rallying to get up and beat Zarkandar by a head after the 4/6 favourite had swept past him in the straight.

The form book counted for little because Zarkandar had easily beaten Reve De Sivola at level weights at Auteuil last time but there is something about Ascot at this time of year that appeals to Nick Williams’ nine-year-old.

Headed before two out and two lengths down at the last, he would not give in and thrust his head in front on the line for Daryl Jacob (deputising for Richard Johnson), with Aubusson beaten a long way in third.

Jacob has said little about the parting of the ways with Paul Nicholls at Ditcheat but riding such a fine race to deny one of the stable’s star performers must have been sweet.

“I’ve ridden Zarkandar plenty of times but I knew my horse had a big heart and it’s never over until you cross that line,” he said.

Honest to a fault, Sam Twiston-Davies admitted he might have delayed his challenge because Zarkandar undoubtedly idled in front. This was a good race to watch but the form is not strong enough for a World Hurdle.

MULHOLLAND’S MASTER

Sam Twiston-Davies enjoyed better luck on 6/5 favourite Irish Saint, who ran out an easy winner of the graduation chase, while the vastly-improved The Young Master deservedly took the Mappin & Webb Silver Cup over three miles, outpointing Hennessy runner-up Houblon Des Obeaux. Disqualified and cruelly raised 14lb after winning the Badger Ales at Wincanton when not qualified to run, Neil Mulholland’s five-year-old jumped left at times but still won in style.

Mulholland is quite right to consider the RSA Chase or the four-miler at the National Hunt Festival.