Al Ferof impresses on chasing debut Paul Nicholls' Al Ferof won the Independent Newspaper Novices' Chase at Cheltenham this afternoon. The winner of the Supreme Novices' Hurdle in March, the six year old was always expected to make up into a better chaser and he didn't disappoint his supporters in the Grade Two two mile contest. L'Eldorado and the well-backed Court In Session set off at a furious gallop with Ruby Walsh content to settle the winner some 20 lengths off the pace. The former Liz Doyle trained winner was a little bit sticky at one or two fences but made no serious mistakes and was travelling all over his rivals as he came down the hill. Astracad tried hard to go with him but never looked like preventing Nicholls saddling a fouth consecutive winner in the race as Al Ferof oozed class. The layers were certainly impressed as Stan James made him the new 5-1 favourite (from 10s) for the Arkle Trophy. Sky Bet are 6s with William Hill and Betfred 7-1. Walsh said: "He won really, really well - it was a good performance. "It's a hard place to start and he did it well. "He was very good. He was foot perfect after passing the stands. "He's probably a bit more of a mature horse this year." Nicholls added: "That's just what we wanted. That was a great Arkle trial. "We'll get some experience into him, but I haven't got a plan after today. He doesn't want to run too much too soon and I feel he's a better horse in the spring." Nicholls continued: "I was really pleased with that because I wasn't convinced he was going to be that good first time. "We've done loads with him at home. It was good to see him do it like that - the problem is he's been too brave. "We've been trying to get him to use himself and get off his hocks. He did that well and Ruby was happy with him. "He's just been too enthusiastic, but that will have done him the world of good as it bodes well for the future. "The main aim is the Arkle. Between now and then we'll just get him some experience, and not necessarily aim him too high. "I just want to get a bit of practice into him and get him at his very best for March, like he was last season." Nigel Twiston-Davies was satisfied with the performance of runner-up Astracad. He said: "We were a bit disappointed last time, but the drop back in trip has helped. "He's run a lot better today so we'll stick to two miles from now on."
