SANTINI lived up to his billing with an impressive debut over fences in the Grade 2 Ladbrokes John Francome Novices’ Chase at Newbury.

Having signed off last season with a Grade 1 victory at Aintree, the imposing six-year-old made a seamless transition to chasing in the extended two-mile-seven-furlong contest.

Although making one mistake mid-race, the 11/8 favourite made his class count when wearing down the prominently-ridden Rocky’s Treasure after the last, before clearing away to score by four lengths under Nico de Boinville.

He was cut to 3/1 for the RSA Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March by both Unibet, Paddy Power and Betfair, while Coral went 9/2 for the same race.

Henderson said: “You would have to be very pleased about it. I was nervous about the ground. He is a beautiful horse, but he is big and he is gross. He is quite laid-back about it at home.

“We got on the grass on Thursday to school and that was the first day he has woken up, but he is like that. I couldn’t believe he was straight enough, to be honest. He is so lazy about it all. I thought it was a great performance.

“Nico gave him a lovely ride, as he let him find his feet, and although he made a couple of little mistakes, he let him think about it.

“He jumped a couple a little bit big, but he was just learning and he will learn a lot for today and he will come on any amount.”

Looking to future plans, Henderson pointed towards Kempton Park on Boxing Day.

He said: “I suppose he will have to go to Kempton (Kauto Star Novices’ Chase), as there are so few you can run him in.”

Posh Trish bounced back to winning ways in gaining more valuable blacktype with a game front-running success in the Listed Ladbrokes Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Newbury.

After finishing second behind Lust For Glory at the track on her most recent start, the Paul Nicholls-trained five-year-old turned the tables on her last-time-out conqueror when defeating her by three and a quarter lengths in the extended two-mile contest.

Nicholls said of the 11/8 winner: “To be honest I thought we had a better chance on the weights and on the ground – the ground more than anything, as a test of stamina is much better for her.

“She is just a galloper. She could go to Cheltenham (Trull House Stud Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at the Festival), but that is a long way off and we will pick our way before then.

“I’d not be adverse to that (Challow Hurdle). There is a mares’ race at Taunton worth quite a lot of money and if the ground is soft we might look at that.

“She is settling a lot better now and she learnt quite a bit the last day. She tried to make all in the bumper at Sandown last season and just tanked all the way, but now she is much better.”