Master Chewy enhanced his position among the pecking order at the yard of trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies after scooping the most valuable pot of his career when resuming his progression over fences in the Ladbrokes Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase at Kempton Park today, day two of the Ladbrokes Christmas Festival.

Since making a winning debut over larger obstacles at Aintree in October the six-year-old had subsequently filled the runner-up spot on his next two starts when finding one too good on his return to the Merseyside track before chasing home Elixir De Nutz at Newbury last time out. 

As Nickle Back and Bourbali took the quintet of runners along at a fair rate of knots in the two-mile contest Tom Bellamy bided his time in behind aboard the 13-8 chance before sending him into a lead he would not surrender over the second last. 

Quickly opening up a healthy advantage the Anne-Marie and Jamie Shepperd-owned Walk In The Park gelding measured the last as if it was the first before bounding up the run in to score by four- and three-quarter lengths in the hands of Tom Bellamy.

Willy Twiston-Davies, son and assistant trainer, said: “You can’t knock his form at all as he has been very good. He has been called a few names, but I think it is important that he gets there late. 

“He was beaten by a more experienced rival last time then at Aintree (on his second start) they took three fences out up the home straight and that completely mucked him up as his jumping is where he gets his air in his lungs and that helps him and that is why he is so much better over fences than hurdles. 

“Tom (Bellamy) said he gave him a squeeze going to three out and he was then straight back on to the bridle. He is a very pacey horse. 

“I’m delighted for Jamie and Anne-Marie as they are very big supporters of the yard. It is great to get them a big winner over Christmas. 

“This will never make up for it as I Like To Move It (who was fatally injured earlier in the season for the same owners) as he was so special, but it is so nice to repay Jamie and Anne-Marie and give them good winners on the big days as they put a lot into our yard. It is lovely to support them to. 

“We have got a really good squad and a really good bunch of owners who keep supporting us. We are allowed to buy what we want, and we are left to it. We are very lucky as we don’t have too much stress.”

Master Chewy is likely to be kept at Grade Two level on his next start according to connections with the Kingmaker Novices’ Chase or the Lightning Novices’ Chase at Doncaster earmarked as possible targets. 

Twiston-Davies continued: “He is very talented. We will either look at the Kingmaker at Warwick or the Lightning with him at Doncaster before Cheltenham. He is a very decent horse. 

“We will then see how goes after that. The Arkle can often be a small field, so why not (give it a go).”