Sir Gerhard now 5-2 favourite for Champion Bumper after scintillating display

Cheveley Park Stud's Sir Gerhard was cut to a general 5-2 favourite (from 4) for the Weatherbys Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival after an impressive defeat of three bumper winners at Navan.

The Gordon Elliott-trained five-year-old could hardly have scored in better style, tracking two-time winner Letsbeclearaboutit to the furlong pole before quickening past him and winning by an easy four and a half lengths under Jamie Codd.

3.20 Navan: full result and race replay

The runner-up, who had looked a potential Cheltenham contender in his own right in previous wins at Tipperary and Punchestown, ran his race as he finished nine lengths clear of previous scorers Anglers Crag and Ever Present.

Sir Gerhard looks to have everything on current evidence and Codd said: "You're always concerned when you come to Navan in December with heavy ground, but he handled it as good horses tend to do. His pedigree suggests he'll be better on some nicer ground, so roll on the spring."

Ashdale Bob surprises in feature

Second-season novice Ashdale Bob earned a quote of 20-1 from Paddy Power for the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle after an impressive success in the feature Grade 2 BetVictor Make Your Best Bet Novice Hurdle.

The 14-1 shot caused a surprise as the two market leaders, Holymacapony and Fighter Allen, bombed out, but the manner of his victory suggests he might not have been too far away regardless.

Ashdale Bob and Paddy Kennedy land the Grade 2 novice hurdle at NavanCredit: Patrick McCann

The Jessica Harrington-trained five-year-old won his maiden hurdle here last month and clearly likes a galloping track with a stiff uphill finish, as he picked up strongly from the second-last to put the result beyond doubt and was not flattered by his six-length margin over the staying-on Fakiera.

Watch Ashdale Bob win at Navan

Rider Paddy Kennedy said: "He was very good. It was important to get him switched off and he switched off lovely. He improved a lot from the last day and I think he'll improve again for some nicer ground. I was impressed with the way he picked up on ground that was a bit dead for him. He's a nice prospect and I think he'll step up to three miles without difficulty."

Bob Olinger in Cheltenham picture

Henry de Bromhead was out of luck with Holymacapony but saw potential star novice hurdler Bob Olinger break his duck at odds of 1-8 in the 2m4f maiden hurdle, a performance that saw his odds for the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle trimmed to a general 12-1.

It was an armchair ride for Rachael Blackmore to score by 14 lengths.

Bob Olinger and Rachael Blackmore land the 2m4f maiden hurdle at NavanCredit: Patrick McCann

De Bromhead said: "He jumped well. Rachael said that ideally he wanted a lead or a bit of company but it's job done. He's in the 2m4f Grade 1 novice hurdle at Naas in three weeks, so we'll see how he is.

"He could come back in trip or even go up to 2m6f for the Grade 1 at Leopardstown. We need to learn and he needs to learn, so we'll give him a run somewhere."

Results, replays and analysis

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