Young Kenny delighted Peter Beaumont as he got back on track for the Martell Grand National at Wetherby yesterday. The 10-year-old is 16 to 1 joint second favourite for Aintree with William Hill despite finishing only third in the Rocom Chase.
Having disputed the lead to the thirdlast fence, he faded to be beaten 18 lengths behind Streamstown. But he was conceding 24lb to the winner and having his first run for two months, after missing the Welsh National due to frosty ground.
And trainer Beaumont said: "I am delighted with that, I didn't expect any more. He got a bit outpaced but I am quite happy."
Young Kenny will now bid to repeat last year's win in the Singer & Friedlander National Trial at Uttoxeter next month before a return to Aintree, where he fell in the Grand National last April but won the Becher Chase in November.
Streamstown, who came from behind to collar Tullymurry Toff at the last fence for a one-length win, also faces a step up in trips and class next month. He is to travel to Newcastle for the Tote Northern National (formerly the Eider Chase) in which stablemate Ackzo was beaten just a neck last year.
"He's a very tough individual and he could just hunt round early on and then be put in the race," said trainer Ferdy Murphy.
Meanwhile, Bellator, a creditable third behind First Gold in the Pertemps King George VI Chase over three miles last time, regained the winning thread with a bloodless victory at chilly Wincanton.
Norman Williamson's mount had plenty in his favour at the weights in the John Bull Chase and a step back to two miles and five furlongs proved no hindrance as he romped home a distance clear of King Of Sparta.
The 8 to 11 favourite had taken the measure of long-time leader Super Tactics when that rival capsized at the second last but his trainer Venetia Williams would not be drawn on the gelding's eventual Cheltenham Festival target.
"All the options at Cheltenham are open as he is in the Tote Gold Cup, the Queen Mother Champion Chase and he will also be entered for the Cathcart Challenge Cup Chase," Miss Williams said.
David Casey has lost his appeal over the two-day ban he received at Thurles last week. Casey was suspended for two days for failing to pull up his mount Alcapone, first past the post in the Heineken Phil Sweeney Memorial Chase, after it had gone the wrong side of a marker.
Having considered the evidence, the appeals and referrals committee of the Turf Club dismissed the appeal.
They also allowed the severe cautions given to Barry Geraghty, Conor O'Dwyer, Neil Mulholland and Denis Leahy in the same race to stand.
The riders received the caution for failing to familiarise themselves with the course. The quartet had also gone the wrong side of the marker but turned back when they discovered the error.
Geraghty's mount Delphi Mount eventually finished second, a distance behind Alcapone, and was awarded the race at a stewards' inquiry.
