DAVID Bridgwater's faith in The Giant Bolster was vindicated once again as his Wyck Hill stable star returned to win for the third time on Cheltenham's Festival Trials Day.

A resounding seven-length beating of Hennessy runner-up and 6-4 favourite Rocky Creek in the Argento Chase was his greatest achievement at the meeting so far, surpassing handicap wins in 2011 and 2012.

The Argento is a recognised Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup trial and, as The Giant Bolster has finished second and fourth in the previous two renewals of the blue riband, Bridgwater was easily persuaded to send him back to his local course again in March.

Despite three laboured efforts so far this term, Tom Scudamore dashed from Doncaster to partner the 6-1 chance, who reaped the benefit of first-time double headgear to have the Grade Two in the bag before the last.

"I said to Tom, this is emotional stuff," said Bridgwater. "He goes so well at home and, if you looked at the paper, you'd say he was a certainty.

"But I thought he was a certainty at Aintree and he unseated, and then he got beaten in a handicap hurdle off 145, and how did that happen? We put a hood and visor on him, and he was in his own little world out there.

"He's back in the mix for the Gold Cup again. Something has got to finish third and fourth, and we'll be happy with that."