East India Dock made the lightest possible work of the JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle at Cheltenham when sauntering to a straightforward victory.
The James Owen-trained three-year-old was formerly campaigned on the Flat for owner-breeders the Gredley family and made a winning hurdles debut at Wincanton last time out.
Well-backed as the 4-5 favourite stepping up to Grade Two level, victory never looked in any doubt.
In a field of 10 nothing could go with him when Sam Twiston-Davies kicked for home and he cantered across the line 18 lengths ahead of Olly Murphy’s Static.
As a result, Coral made East India Dock their 8-1 favourite from 25-1 for the JCB Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham in March.