ESPRIT Du Large dug deep up the Sandown hill to spring a minor surprise in the Grade 1 Read Road To Cheltenham At racingtv.com Henry VIII Novices’ Chase.

Narrowly beaten on his fencing debut at Carlisle in October, the Evan Williams-trained five-year-old went one better at Exeter last month, but faced a big step up in class for this almost two-mile contest.

Getting weight from his elders, Torpillo was the clear favourite at 13/8, with former Supreme Novices’ Hurdle winner Summerville Boy, high-class hurdler Grand Sancy and previously-unbeaten chaser Nube Negra rated his chief threats.

However, Esprit Du Large (14/1) had not read the script, travelling strongly and jumping accurately throughout under Adam Wedge, and he turned for home with only Nube Negra to worry about.

Both horses were slick at the final obstacle and with Esprit Du Large refused to bend on the run-in, passing the post a length and three-quarters to the good. Grand Sancy was a long way back in third, with Torpillo fourth.

Summerville Boy made a bad blunder in the back straight and came to grief at the following water jump.

Just over 30 minutes later Evan Williams and Adam Wedge completed a notable double by landing the listed two-mile December Handicap Hurdle on the card with 6/1 shot Mack The Man.

Fiddlerontheroof will have his credentials tested at Grade 1 level on his next start after proving a class above his rivals in the Peter & Thelma Brooks Diamond Anniversary “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle.

Finding one too good on his previous two starts over hurdles, the Colin Tizzard-trained five-year-old set up a return to the track next month for the Tolworth Hurdle with a facile seven-length victory.

Winning rider Robbie Power said of the 8/13 shot: “He is a big Stowaway horse and he gallops through that soft ground well, and he jumps unbelievably well.

“I couldn’t believe he got beat at Wincanton, but that form got a boost at Aintree earlier, so I’d say he got beat by a very good horse (Edwardstone).

“Two miles on that ground is ideal and I’d imagine he will come back here for the Tolworth in January.”

Chris Gordon believes the best is yet to come from Go Whatever (3/1), who took his form to new heights when staying-on strongly to take the Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle by two and three-quarter lengths.

Gordon said: “He is only a five-year-old and that was a smashing little win. I will go easy on him for now and keep the dream alive a bit longer.

“He is a proper heavy ground horse and hopefully we will be looking at a Welsh National in a couple of years’ time. On that ground he looks a fair bit of machinery.”

Oriental Cross took a drop back down to two miles in her stride with a gusty success in the Elmbridge Mares’ Handicap Hurdle.

Trainer Tim Vaughan said of the 12/1 winner: “She is as tough as teak and tries. The shorter trip has probably paid off on that ground, as she ran over two and a half miles the last day.

“Her end-of-season target is that series final at Haydock which she is qualified for. It would be lovely if we could pick up a bit of black type in between.”

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