THE Grade 2 Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle at Warwick produced a clear-cut winner in Ben Pauling’s Willoughby Court, who made minor errors but led all the way and came home well clear of Gayebury, with Peter Fahey’s Peregrine Run a fair third.

The disappointment of the race was 7/4 favourite Geordie Des Champs, who has a good record this season but weakened after three out and trailed in last of the six runners.

David Bass allowed the winner to coast along in front for much of the journey but kicked on in earnest down the back straight and was never seriously threatened.

The form pays a handsome compliment to Get On the Yager, who beat Willoughby Court by 13 lengths not so long ago, although last week’s winner may be improving.

“The Neptune and the Albert Bartlett are options and he may go straight to Cheltenham as he likes to be fresh,” said Jason Maguire, who acts as racing manager to owners Paul and Claire Rooney.

Peregrine Run’s trainer Peter Fahey believes there are more good prizes in him on better ground.

“He didn’t get home on the soft but the winner could be a proper Albert Bartlett horse,” the trainer said.

Dorset trainer Harry Fry has been in fine form of late and took the Listed Betfred Mobile Hampton Novices’ Chase with American, who went clear under Noel Fehily some way from home but was eventually pushed along to account for Champers On Ice by four and a half lengths, with Captain Chaos third.

American, 4/1, was a good hurdler and has taken well to fences, making it two out of two after winning at Exeter. He looks the right sort for the RSA Chase at Cheltenham.

Those impressed should not step in hastily at prices varying from 12/1 to 16/1, however, because American clearly enjoyed the testing conditions and Cheltenham is seldom like that in March.

Trainer and jockey were completing a double, Overtown Express having justified 11/8 favouritism when coming home seven lengths clear of Artifice Sivola in the Edward Courage Cup Handicap Chase over two miles.

Tim Vaughan saddled 50/1 shot Point Of Principle who landed the bumper in the hands of good claimer Alan Johns.