Celtic Son put up a performance of the highest order to notch a debut success over fences in the Totesport 0800 221 221 Rising Stars Novices' Chase.
Martin Pipe and owner David Johnson saw the six-year-old win six times over hurdles last season and, judging from this spectacular display of jumping, a similarly bountiful time awaits their charge in the coming months.
So impressed were the sponsors they quote the 2-1 favourite as an 8-1 chance for the Royal & SunAlliance Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.
And Prestbury Park will be the next port of call for Celtic Son, who put in three breathtaking leaps at the 10th and 11th fences and then at the Cross Fence.
Timmy Murphy eased him down on the run-in but the combination still had three and a half lengths to spare over Napolitain, with Unleash half a length further back.
Johnson believes another of his horses, Over The Creek, is better than Celtic Son, which, on this evidence, is a massive compliment to the former and he said: "We were reasonably well in with the others on our hurdling form and it was great to see him do on the course what he had done at home, although I admit I was nervous about coming to Wincanton because these fences take some jumping."
"He was impressive but I kid you not when I say Over The Creek would be a bit better and hopefully he'll do his stuff when he runs somewhere in the next 10 days."
Celtic Son will now go to Cheltenham next weekend, where he has a couple of entries, including a race over two and a half miles.
Filed by Katie Byrne
