TRIALS day at Cheltenham presented the final opportunity for a full dress rehearsal at Prestbury Park before the Cheltenham Festival in March and Pied Piper (136+) eagerly grasped the opportunity as trainer Gordon Elliott tightened his grip on the Triumph Hurdle.

Paisley Park (158) also staked his claim for festival redemption as he produced his Cheltenham best to win the Grade 2 Cleeve Hurdle and depose Champ as favourite for the staying showpiece, a result which took some of the gloss off Nicky Henderson’s day following the victory of Chantry House in the Grade 2 Cotswold Chase.