The Gordon Elliott trained Free Expression maintained his remarkable 100% unbeaten record when successfully stepping up to Grade 2 level, in the Monksfield Novice Hurdle at Navan today. Martello Tower was leading but about to be pressed by Free Expression when that rival came down at the second last.

From that point, Free Expression and jockey Mark Walsh went on to hold off the challenge of Shantou Flyer on the run-in.

The winning son of Germany has now been successful in his only point to point, bumper, maiden hurdle and novice hurdle, to make it four runs without defeat.

Afterwards Elliott stated “he was very green and is still a big baby; he ran all over the place but he's one for the future.

"He definitely wants 2m4f plus and a faster gallop and he's going to be a big chaser for next year."

Boylesports and Paddy Power make Free Expression an unchanged 16/1 chance for the Neptune Novice hurdle at Cheltenham.

By Thomas Weekes, quotes from Alan Magee