PAUL Nicholls hopes McFabulous may eventually be a Stayers’ Hurdle contender after he registered an emphatic win in the Grade 3 European Breeders Fund Paddy Power “National Hunt” EBF Novices’ Handicap Hurdle at Kempton.

Winner of the Grade 2 bumper at Aintree last season, McFabulous suffered a shock defeat on his hurdles bow before then finding Master Debonair far too good when last of four in a Supreme trial at Ascot back in December.

But he hit the target at Market Rasen last month, and punters were confident he could supplement that win stepped back up to graded level.

Sent off the 5/2 favourite, McFabulous was always travelling well for Harry Cobden, settled on the rail on the heels of pacesetter Eden Du Houx.

Turning for home, Cobden was clearly in control, and McFabulous jumped his way to the front at the penultimate flight as Eden Du Houx dropped away.

Sevarano tried to put up a challenge, but McFabulous was just too good, taking the final flight with a couple of lengths in hand before pulling away on the run to the line.

He came home six and a half lengths clear of Sevarano, with Hurricane Harvey snatching third from Eden Du Houx in the shadow of the post.

The two-mile-five-furlong series final was due to be run at Sandown last week, but that meeting was called off because of a waterlogged track.

Nicholls admitted after the race the cancellation of that card had worked in McFabulous’ favour.

He said: “It’s ended up being a bonus last week was off, because that would have been stiff enough, but today was perfect.

“He got a lovely mark at Market Rasen; he jumped great today and should shape up into a very good staying hurdler.

“We’ll look for a Grade 1 over two and a half miles, but he could be a Stayers’ Hurdle horse one day.”

Our Power gave trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies some compensation after a luckless Cheltenham Festival as he claimed the Paddy Power Silver Plate Handicap Hurdle.

Gold Cup also-ran Bristol De Mai and Ryanair Chase faller Riders Onthe Storm were notable contenders for Twiston-Davies at Cheltenham, with Our Power only lining up here only after missing the cut for his planned Festival event.

The 11/1 shot seized the opportunity under the trainer’s son Sam, though, settling in behind through the early stages as Cervaro Mix set out to make all.

Favourite Downtown Getaway took up a prominent position too for trainer Nicky Henderson and jockey Nico de Boinville in the two-mile-five-furlong heat, pressing Cervaro Mix all the way to the penultimate flight when he dropped away.

Cervaro Mix also started to feel the heat at that point, just as Our Power made his challenge to grab the lead before the last.

While The Butcher Said tried to make up ground late and was staying on all the way to the line, Our Power dug deep to prevail by a length and three-quarters. Bootlegger took third, with Ballyhome fourth at 20/1.

Nigel Twiston-Davies said: “He was balloted out of the Martin Pipe, but this race was better and went beautifully for him.

“We had no joy this week. Riders Onthe Storm was in with a chance when he fell, but it was too far out to say he was unlucky.

“Bristol De Mai couldn’t bully them in the Gold Cup, but he’s in good form today and will run in the Grand National.”

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