Winner of the William Hill Handicap Hurdle earlier in the season, the eight-yearold took the runner-up spot in the totesport Trophy last weekend before lugging top weight to success in the opening contest.

Steve Jones sent the 9-1 shot into the lead at the second-last and his mount found plenty under pressure to hold Nation State and Flying Falcon by three-quarters of a length and two lengths respectively. Dr Richard Newland's charge now faces a step up in class at the Cheltenham Festival, with Blue Square and William Hill both offering 66-1 about his chances in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle.

Newland said, "He is fantastically tough. He worked in mid-week and I couldn't believe how well he went so I had to run him. I bought him cheaply at the sales and he has always been a good horse but has really come to himself. He is in the Coral Cup, Champion Hurdle and the World Hurdle and we will go home and discuss which race to go for. It is a step up to Championship races but he has earned his place."

Gungadu gave his supporters a huge scare when ploughing through the seventh-last fence but the classy seven-year-old still ran out a smart winner of the Grade Two John Smith's Reynoldstown Novices' Chase. Ruby Walsh set out to make all aboard the 4-7 market leader and all was going to plan as he tanked along in front.

However, he failed to take off at the seventh from home and sent the birch flying, but the partnership remained intact and Paul Nicholls' charge went on to beat 33-1 outsider Wee Robbie by four lengths. Walsh said, "The BBC camera truck came close to him early on in the race and from then on he had one eye on that and one eye on the fence, which is why he made the mistake."

Monet's Garden returned to form with a bang when posting an impressive success in the Commercial First Ascot Chase. The Nicky Richards-trained grey turned for home in front and absolutely winged the penultimate obstacle before staying on powerfully for Tony Dobbin. The 11-10 favourite was almost foot-perfect throughout and responded to Dobbin's urgings to hold runner-up Thisthatandtother by eight lengths.

Dobbin had settled his mount towards the rear throughout the early stages as Irish raiders Central House and Fota Island disputed the lead. The latter was still in contention and moving well as Monet's Garden drew alongside three-out, but the writing was soon on the wall for the JP McManus-owned gelding. River City was also moving eyecatchingly as he tracked the principals into the home straight but the 201 shot's effort soon told as Monet's Garden poured on the pressure up front. Once Dobbin asked his partner to settle the issue, the result was not in doubt and victory was sealed when he measured the last perfectly.

Thisthatandtother stayed on well to grab the silver medal but never posed a serious threat to the winner, while River City kept going to claim third, three lengths behind the runner-up.

Richards was pleased to see Monet's Garden put a disappointing run in the King George VI Chase well behind him.

He said, "That was a bit better and was back to normal. He didn't stay overnight this time and the boxdriver and my daughter left the yard just before five this morning, so it is a good effort on their part. He looked a little dehydrated in the paddock before Kempton as his skin was tight and he ran similar to the Relkeel at Cheltenham, but it is easy to make excuses after.

He had a good prep for this, Tony said he felt grand and he was in very good fettle."

Monet's Garden is now the 9-4 favourite for the Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival with Blue Square while VC Bet make him their 5-2 market leader for the same event. However, Richards' charge is also entered in the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase.

The trainer added, "I don't know which race he will run in at Cheltenham. I will discuss the Gold Cup but I would say that is doubtful. If the ground was slow he could go for the Champion Chase, but I think he wants good ground and if we get that the Ryanair would suit him best of all."