Master Tommytucker and McFabulous secured both of the Grade Two contests at Kempton for Paul Nicholls on an afternoon when the Ditcheat handler went on to record a 10,418-1 across-the-card seven-timer.
McFabulous made a successful return to action in October's Persian War at Chepstow and the seven-year-old was far from disgraced when last seen finishing third in the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury the following month.
That form saw him sent off the 10-11 favourite for the Dornan Engineering Relkeel Hurdle, rescheduled from Cheltenham’s abandoned New Year’s Day card.
There were a few worrying moments for his supporters during the early stages, with a couple of untidy leaps putting McFabulous on the back foot and briefly taking him to the rear of the field under Harry Cobden.
But the gelding made stealthy headway racing down the back straight and eased clear in the end – passing the post with just over two lengths in hand over On The Blind Side.
Nicholls said: "This trip (two and a half miles) suits him. He will have an entry in the Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham, just in case it falls apart or something, but I guess I’d nearly keep him fresh for Aintree. I think Aintree over two and a half would suit him well.
"A fresh, flat track would suit him as well. We might then look at Sandown on the last day of the season as there is a lovely race for him there over two-five, then we can go chasing in the autumn as that is his job.
"We tried the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury and he wasn’t beaten far, but I’m not convinced I want to give him a hard race against those horses at this stage of his career if he is going to be a super chaser.
"I see him as an ideal horse for the Kauto Star (Novices’ Chase, at Kempton) next season."
💪 Back on track
— Kempton Park Racecourse (@kemptonparkrace) January 9, 2021
It's a lovely smooth performance from McFabulous in the Grade 2 Dornan Engineering Relkeel Hurdle under a confident ride by @CobdenHarry for trainer @PFNicholls 👏 pic.twitter.com/B1gVO8wsLE
Master Tommytucker (2-1) secured the biggest success of his career with a fine front-running performance in the Ladbrokes Silviniaco Conti Chase.
The lightly-raced 10-year-old made it three wins from five starts over fences this season by taking his form to a new level.
All eyes were on Imperial Aura, who was bidding for a second success at the level, but the evens favourite was an early casualty after parting company with David Bass at the second fence.
Jumping well out in front, Master Tommytucker continued to extend his advantage with his two remaining rivals hard at work in behind him entering the home straight.
Despite getting the last all wrong, he was quickly gathered in by Harry Cobden before crossing the line 12 lengths clear of Clondaw Castle.
Nicholls said: "Apart from the last, he jumped great there. Harry nursed him down the back full of running. How many times do you see horses do that at the last?
"He has got a huge engine and he is definitely better on a track like this rather than Cheltenham. A small field suits him better as well.
"At Haydock he went a gallop in heavy ground – he would gallop all day. The trip is not a problem to him anywhere. I've got no doubt there is a Grade One in him.
"I kick myself for running him at Cheltenham (last month) as it was too soon after Haydock, but Harry got off him and said this will be the making of him."
Although Master Tommytucker holds entries in both the Ryanair Chase and Gold Cup at the Cheltenham Festival, the his handler believes he would be better suited by heading to Aintree instead.
Nicholls said: "He is the Ryanair and the Gold Cup. We will have a chat with the owners and I know they will dream to run him in a race like that.
"To me he would be awesome at Aintree in that two-and-a-half-mile race around there. That would be made for him and the last day at Sandown, the two-mile-six race there would suit him well.
"I could definitely see him lining up in next year’s King George. He likes it around here and he has got huge ability."
A magnificent 7️⃣ for @PFNicholls!
— Kempton Park Racecourse (@kemptonparkrace) January 9, 2021
It was eventful at the start and eventful at the finish... Master Tommytucker makes all and survives a scare at the last to win the @Ladbrokes Silviniaco Conti Chase and complete a treble @CobdenHarry pic.twitter.com/eYjIUZId31
Nicholls and Cobden had struck earlier on the card with Barbados Buck's (2-1F) in the Play Ladbrokes 1-2-Free On Football Novices' Hurdle.
Bryony Frost booted home Nicholls' Chepstow double, with Pozo Emery (7-2) taking the opening Play Coral 'Racing Super Series' For Free Maiden Hurdle and Storm Arising (6-1) winning the Coral 'Fail To Finish' Free Bets Handicap Hurdle.
At Wincanton, Flash Collonges (7-4) returned to winning ways in the MansionBet's Watch And Bet Novices' Hurdle with Harry Skelton in the plate, while Capeland (6-1) and Daryl Jacob scored in the MansionBet's Bet 10 Get 20 Handicap Chase.
