Martin Pipe unleashed an exciting jumping prospect in Rodock, who made an impressive chasing debut at Warwick yesterday.

The Nicholashayne trainer has seven entries in the Irish Independent Arkle Challenge Trophy at Cheltenham - a race Pipe has already won twice, and Rodock staked his claim to be in the line-up at the festival in March with an effortless victory in the Betting Ring Is A Tax Free Zone Novices' Chase.

Unsuited by a slow pace set by the evens favourite Gastina and a small field, Rodock (5 to 4) pulled hard in the early stages until settling under restraint from Tony McCoy.

As the race hotted up, the champion jockey hardly had to move a muscle as he ranged upsides Gastina in the short straight. Rodock took a narrow advantage at the second last and was hard held to win by three lengths. He is now 10 to 1 from 25 to 1 with William Hill for the Arkle.