Marito put himself in the frame for a tilt at the Foxhunters when romping home by 15 lengths in the The Silks @downroyal Hunters Steeplechase.

The nine-year-old gelding easily justified 4/6 favouritism when he moved to the front before two out and asserted coming to the last.

Noel McParlan duly steered him home by a wide margin from Current Exchange (11/1). Hix Fix (16/1) was a further five and a half lengths back in third.

Trainer Colin McBratney said: "It took him a long time to recover from Tramore on New Year's Day where it was bottomless.

"He jumped well and Noel said he felt great. It was an easier task he had today. All good, onwards and upwards.

"He could have one more run before Cheltenham (Foxhunters), possibly in the Raymond Smith or a point-to-point."