HARRY Whittington has made no secret of the high regard he holds Charlemar in, and the French import made it two wins from as many starts since arriving at his Sparsholt stables with a fluent success at Aintree.

The four-year-old, bought for €150,000 as a replacement for the ill-fated Arzal, followed up his Chepstow win by taking a novices’ hurdle over two miles and a furlong.

Aidan Coleman sent the 11-4 chance into the lead at the second flight, and he was never headed, coming home four and a half lengths clear of hot favourite Minotaur.

“I was thrilled with that and I don’t really know how good he is because he shows us absolutely nothing at home,” said Whittington. “He just loves jumping, he finds it all so easy.”

Charlemar’s slick display prompted Betfair to quote him at 33-1 for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival next March.

But Whittington has another big prize in mind before then, with Newbury’s Betfair Hurdle in February a potential target.