Ar Mad books Cheltenham ticket

Ar Mad enhanced his Cheltenham prospects with a fluent all-the-way win in the Download The At The Races App Novices' Limited Handicap Chase at Plumpton.

Trainer Gary Moore took his Racing Post Arkle Trophy hope to a local track to see how he fared going left-handed as he had jumped to the right on his previous run over fences at the East Sussex venue.

Since his defeat there on his fencing debut in October, Ar Mad has stamped himself as a leading novice chaser with two victories at Sandown, including the Grade One Henry VIII, and one at Kempton.

The 2-7 favourite completed a four-timer with the minimum of fuss as he totally outclassed his two rivals in the hands of Josh Moore, bounding 25 lengths clear of Alder Mairi without ever being threatened.

"Job done. I was very pleased and Josh was happy with him. He's had a nice piece of work really," said the trainer.

"He's not had a hard time of it. He never came off the bridle. It was perfect and I've got a month now.

"Fences bring the best out of him.

"He jumps out to the right slightly. It's not a perfect world, but he's beaten all the best two-milers in this country. We've just got that Irish horse (Douvan) to beat.

"He does jump right and he does give ground away, but when they are going faster, he jumps straighter.

"It will take a good one to lay up with him, as we've seen in the past. He comes down the hill left-handed on the gallops every day, but he's just happier going right-handed.

"He needed that. He's only been back in serious work a month. He'd have probably done more at home anyway, so we'll give him an easy week and take it from there and get him fit."

The winning jockey said: "I was very happy with him. He's grown up a lot. He was keen the whole way round and wanted to get on with things, but he wasn't hanging or anything.

"He jumped right at a few obstacles, but he's a very clever horse. When he needs to adjust himself he just runs down a little bit to make sure he's on the right stride.

"He wasn't hanging away from the rail. He was very straightforward, travelled along strong and has had a great school round.

"He'll come on a lot fitness-wise. He's only done a couple of bits of work at home. He could have done another lap round there.

"He's versatile with the ground. I was a bit concerned about the ground, but he's coped with it fine. He's a clever jumper and I wouldn't be worried about him going to Cheltenham."

Ar Mad was cut to 8-1 from 10s with Ladbrokes for the Arkle.