Envoi Allen justified the hype in the G1 Ballymore Novices' Hurdle, but Dorset man Colin Tizzard was thrilled to do his bit for team GB in the opening contest on day two of the Cheltenham Festival.
The Big Breakaway (8/1) never looked comfortable in the early stages under his jockey Robbie Power, but the Quakerstown four-year-old maiden winner plugged on for fourth place, beaten 14 and a half lengths.
Tizzard said: "We were best of the English weren't we? He looks more of a stayer and the three in front of him were a year older - you only had to look at the six-year-olds beforehand to see they were bigger and stronger than him.
"He's a beautiful young horse and he kept going right to the line.
"We cannot hold him back two years from chasing surely, so he will likely jump a fence next year."
This was confirmed by the thrilled owners Eric Jones, Geoff Nicholas and John Romans, as they said: "We could go up to three miles now at Aintree, then dream for next year when he jumps a fence."
Closing date for Listowel Hunters Chase
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