Thebannerkingrebel out on his own with straightforward chasing debut

Thebannerkingrebel faced a far simpler task than anyone could have predicted when making his chase debut in the 2m1f novice chase as his only rival, the Paul Nicholls-trained Stratagem, fell at the first.

The seven-year-old, a Listed winner over hurdles, went round in splendid isolation after the odds-on favourite came down, but he still gave jockey Gavin Sheehan a fright as he blundered at the fourth-last, prompting an audible gasp from the racegoers at the track.

Three horses were declared but the Alan King-trained Edwardstone was withdrawn. It forms part of Plumpton's Cheltenham bonus series and the winner will land a £40,000 bonus if he wins at the festival.