ALAN King would probably have regarded it as a near-perfect day anyway, with a Cheltenham treble backed up by 8/1 chance McCabe Creek winning the opening handicap hurdle at Doncaster in the hands of young stable conditional Jamie Insole.

However, there was still another ace in the pack as Ziga Boy, also 8/1, made light of a 15lb increase and took the featured Sky Bet Chase. Aachen made the running but Brendan Powell brought Ziga Boy level at the eleventh before pressing on strongly. Very game into the wind, the grey kept on willingly and held Coologue by just over three lengths. Arthur Moore’s Pass The Hat, racing wide, kept threatening to take a hand but an awkward leap late on cost him and he could finish only fourth. He is well worth another chance. The race was worth more than £45,000 to the winner and connections will not mind a steep increase again next time.