The Hunt Ball fairytale story continued as he secured his seventh victory of the season in the Pulteney Land Investments Novices' Handicap Chase at Cheltenham.

Trained by Keiran Burke, the seven-year-old won off a mark of 69 on his first start of the campaign at Folkestone and was running in this fiercely competitive contest off 142 and with 12 stone on his back.

The 13-2 favourite was being pushed along by Nick Scholfield running down the hill, but responded to pressure and swept to the lead approaching the final fence. He was big and bold at the final fence and powered up the hill to score by eight lengths from White Star Line.

Burke, who rode Holmwood Legend to win the Byrne Group Plate at last year's Festival before beginning his training career, said: "I can't believe it. It happened to me last year and I don't know why it's happened again. It's incredible.

"The Topham (at Aintree) has been mentioned next, but I don't know about that. He's my pride and joy. It's some effort to do what he's done this year and he hasn't finished yet. I'm convinced he wants three miles and he must be some horse to do what he's been doing.

"He'll be a stronger horse next year and we might look at the Grand National or the Gold Cup."

His hugely enthusiastic owner Anthony Knott, a dairy farmer from Dorset, said: "I told everyone he had two stone in hand and he did what I thought he would do. I told you all along, this is still the wrong race, we could have took the Gold Cup out!

"I can't get it in my head. What I said and what I thought he was capable of doing, has happened. I didn't think I'd be able to go home if he got beat as even the paperboy has backed him. I told everyone he was a money making machine and that's what he is, I hope everyone has cleaned the bookies out!

"We first realised he could be something special when he won three races in quick succession. When he won easily at Wincanton and when he won at Kempton the last day we knew he was a real top-class animal. He might go to Sandown for a race on Whitbread day next month."

Scholfield was also securing his first Festival success, but picked up a six-day ban for using his whip when clearly winning. He said: "It's a very special day for me. You see the lads coming in and think when is my day going to come, but thankfully it's come today."