Another win needed but Newland aiming for Pertemps Final with Aaron Lad

Richard Newland is eyeing a tilt at the Pertemps Final at the Cheltenham Festival with stout stayer Aaron Lad after a game win in a series qualifier.

The Charlie Hammond-ridden seven-year-old, owned by Off The Clock Partners and the trainer, improved on his promising return to action to deny the four-timer seeking Jersey Bean by a length and a half.

Aaron Lad, along with the first six finishers, has now qualified for the 3m handicap hurdle on March 14 but is likely to need another victory to rise sufficiently in the weights to make the cut, with Paddy Power introducing the winner into the market at 33-1.