COLIN Tizzard has been in excellent form recently and the Dorset trainer landed another prestigious prize as 7/2 chance Thistlecrack took the Grace 2 bet365 Long Distance Hurdle immediately before stable-companion Theatre Guide’s gallant if unavailing effort in the Hennessy.

In a five-runner race where proven Grade 1 performers Cole Harden and Whisper were preferred in the market, Thistlecrack and Tom Scudamore were in no hurry and quietly moved into contention as 16/1 outsider Deputy Dan took over from Cole Harden three out. Taking it up at the final flight he drew six lengths clear, with Deputy Dan holding Cole Harden for second. Whisper finished last of the quintet and seemed well below his best, though any horse might be forgiven a poor run on ground as soft as this.

Thistlecrack improved in his novice season last winter and won the Grade 1 staying event at Aintree. That improvement has been maintained and he will surely take on the best this winter, leading to a crack at the World Hurdle at Cheltenham in March.

He is only around 10/1 for that top-class contest, which may seem generous following last week’s fine effort, though he was receiving 4lb from the two market principals.

“He’s grown into a great big strong horse and I thought he might need this, though I told people he might be classy enough to win,” Tizzard said. “He jumped super, never missed a beat and will improve massively.

“He’ll go to Ascot for the Long Walk and deserves to because that was a brilliant performance. He doesn’t have to have that ground but he copes with it.”

Cole Harden made all in the World Hurdle before Whisper reversed the form at Aintree. They were eased out to 12/1 and 16/1 respectively in some lists for the Cheltenham showpiece and that looks something of an overreaction because the ground at Newbury was very holding indeed and they will surely look different propositions on a faster surface.

To his credit, Cole Harden was keeping on again on the run-in but Whisper hated everything about it and lost his action before Nico de Boinville dismounted soon after the line.

Young Gavin Sheehan experienced a Hennessy day he will never forget as Arzal, Aloomomo and Royal Guardsman gave him a 195/1 treble - all this before a huge Saturday crowd as Newbury continued its impressive redevelopment.

Arzal, trained by up-and-coming trainer Harry Whittington at Sparsholt in Oxfordshire, made most to take the bet365.com Novices’ Handicap Chase at 9/2, readily pulling away from Aso to score by 13 lengths.

Not one to miss a trick, Whittington equipped him with a French ring bit to offset a tendency to jump low. It worked quite well but Arzal - owned, appropriately enough, by The Hennessy Six syndicate, still brushed through the top of his fences. In all other respects he looked a fine prospect at five.

Some of the late, great commentator’s friends got together to support the Sir Peter O’Sullevan Memorial Handicap Chase over the extended two and three-quarter miles. Once again, Sheehan’s mount Aloomomo was well supported, from 7/1 down to 5/1, and picked up the leaders readily enough to prevail by nine lengths from O Maonlai and La Vaticane.

Successful trainer Warren Greatrex is enjoying a purple patch and the winner, another five-year-old, jumped superbly. Like Arzal, he will face harder tasks in handicaps from now on but looks a very promising sort. Greatrex believes he will be even better going right-handed.

The jockey’s treble was completed at a much bigger price when 14/1 shot Royal Guardsman led for much of the way in the bet265 Handicap Hurdle but had to fight back after a mistake two out to get the better of Saphir Du Rheu’s half-brother Ibis Du Rheu by a head.

This was another eye-catching triumph for trainer Ali Stronge and her husband Sam, son of former National Hunt jockey Robert Stronge. Sam’s own burgeoning career in the saddle was cut short by increasing weight but he has also made a go of things as a jockeys’ agent.

“I thought Gavin had used up all his luck,” Ali Stronge smiled. “He gave him a great ride and helps a lot at home. Royal Guardsman is the best horse in the yard.”

Favourite backers had started well when Evan Williams’ Tea In Transvaal, 11/8, took the TBA Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle by six lengths from Colla Pier in the hands of Paul Moloney. This was a listed race and the winner looks well set for the new race for her sex at the Cheltenham Festival.