Gordon Elliott might have been disappointed with Gerri Colombe - but a couple of his novices made a deep impression

There were some lovely performances over the weekend, not least from The Real Whacker, who put last season's disappointing campaign well and truly behind him in the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby.

He got into a great rhythm under new jockey Brian Hughes and never looked in much danger of defeat, even when the 11-10 favourite Bravemansgame – officially rated 9lb higher – came there going easily rounding the home turn.

The Real Whacker won't go for the Betfair Chase according to trainer Patrick Neville, but will instead take in the King George and Cotswold Chase before another crack at the Gold Cup, a race in which he was pulled up last season. He is 50-1 if you fancy him for Cheltenham, which is probably a fair assessment of his chances.