ADRIAN MAGUIRE and David Nicholson underlined the strength of their Cheltenham Festival challenge by almost sweeping the board at Kempton on Saturday. A 355 to 1 five-timer from Maguire only just shaded the performance of Nicholson, who finished with four.
Maguire began in irresistible form with wins on Sanmartino, Viking Flagship and L'Opera for Nicholson and the Paul Webber-trained Land Afar.
But he managed only fourth on Call It A Day as the Jenny Pitman-trained Mudahim outfought King Lucifer to take the day's feature race. Pharanear restored the balance of power with success in the Rendlesham Hurdle.
"I have ridden a five-timer before at Plumpton and had six at a point-to-point in Ireland two years before I came over. But it is nice to do it on such a big day," said Maguire.
Sanmartino will take an unbeaten record to Cheltenham after he completed a hat-trick of wins over hurdles, but the identity of his Festival target will remain undecided until the weekend before the meeting.
Viking Flagship remains the 11 to 4 second favourite for the Queen Mother Champion Chase after returning to winning form in the Emblem Chase.
The former John Oxx-trained L'Opera is one of three 6 to 1 co-favourites, with White Sea and Shooting Light, for the Triumph Hurdle with Ladbrokes following his winning debut in the Voice Newspaper Adonis Juvenile Hurdle.
