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Dan Skelton's North Hill Harvey has been shortened into 16-1 for the Arkle, following a resilient victory over hot favourite Sceau Royal on the opening day of the Showcase.
The former Greatwood Hurdle led the field all the way around the Cotswold track, jumping well and travelling strongly.
As Ballykin and Movewiththetimes dropped out of the race, Alan King's Sceau Royal creeped closer. A determined performance from Skelton's chasing debutant saw off the Champion Hurdle sixth, to win by a neck.
"I got it wrong last season and he was always going to be better over a fence, I am just delighted with that," said the Warwickshire-based trainer.
"If I had my time again I would have run him plenty more times last season and I won't make that mistake again. He jumped well bar the two downhill ones.
"I thought before jumping the last upsides a horse that ran in the Champion Hurdle, that on the sprint to the line there would be no disgrace in coming off second, but fair play, he stuck his nut down.
"He will come back here in November for the Arkle trial and we will plan it from there.
"Two miles over fences is his trip. When he gets beat he looks like he wants further but when he is on form, he looks like a two-miler."
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£260,000 purchase Slate House was an impressive winner in a maiden hurdle
Elsewhere on the card Black Corton landed the Ryman Stationery Cheltenham Business Club Novices' Chase (3:10) under Byrony Frost.
Paul Nicholls' six-year-old beat favourite Fagan by ten lengths.
Slate House won impressively on his British debut for Colin Tizzard. A steady jumper, the former point-to-pointer looked a classy act when crusing to a three and a quarter length victory.
Other wins came for Brillare Momento, Master Dancer, What Happens Now and Bobble Emerald.
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