Winter Escape continued on an upward curve as he maintained his unbeaten record in the Sky Bet Dovecote Novices' Hurdle at Kempton.

Making it three wins from as many starts, the Alan King-trained five-year-old again travelled with lots of enthusiasm but had to get down to business to reel in leader Marracudja over the final two obstacles.

Once getting upsides, Barry Geraghty did not have to be hard on his mount to run out a cosy length-and-a-quarter victor.

Geraghty said of the 4-6 favourite: "We went very quick and it's not far off good ground, so it will have been a rude awakening for a horse with so little experience.

"It was a big lesson for him, he's a lovely sort and going the right way.

"We'll have a chat (about Cheltenham) and see, but he'll improve an awful lot for the experience."

King said: "I'm delighted he has won, that's the first proper race he's had as he won the other two on the bridle.

"It was a big step up for him and he will have learnt an awful lot. His jumping was good, but it can be made a bit quicker.

"My gut feeling is he won't run at the Festival, as we want to do what is right by the horse, he is potentially very exciting.

"He is a good-actioned horse, and I'd be worried on deep ground, that is why we've been to Doncaster twice."