A CHELTENHAM date could beckon for the Cotswold-trained bet365 Open Handicap Chase winner No Buts.

Stow-on-the-Wold handler David Bridgwater’s 6-1 runner proved eight lengths too powerful for Sound Investment under in-form jockey Tom Scudamore at Newbury.

Bridgwater said: “We thought about the Paddy Power Gold Cup for him but the timing was wrong as he ran the week before at Sandown and this race looked all right.

“This is a good horse — he stays and jumps accurately. We’ll have to consider the December (Caspian Caviar) Gold Cup at Cheltenham for him now.”

The trainer also enjoyed success at Towcester through Vinnieslittle Lamb (5-4 favourite), while Luckley handler Martin Keighley won with Monty’s Revenge (5-4 favourite).

Meanwhile, the Jonjo O’Neill-trained More Of That is to be examined after losing his unbeaten record in Newbury’s Long Distance Hurdle.

Last season’s Ladbrokes World Hurdle hero was well beaten in third behind Medinas on his seasonal reappearance.

Temple Guiting’s O’Neill said: “We’re going to get him checked out and see how he goes. He ran reasonably well for a long way and it was his first run.

“His wind was bothering him a little bit, hence the reason for putting a tongue strap on him in the heavy ground, trying to help him.

“We’re disappointed to lose his unbeaten tag — that was a bit of a sickener. We’ll try to get him back to go to Cheltenham (for the World Hurdle).”

O’Neill’s Merry King was an impressive third to Many Clouds in the Hennessy Gold Cup Chase at Newbury.

Connections of Mad Moose will make a late call over whether the enigmatic performer returns in Saturday’s 888Sport Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown.

The talented but unpredictable 10-year-old, trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies in Naunton, was banned from racing following an inquiry after he was reluctant to start in the same race 12 months ago.

The Keighley-trained Champion Court could race along with O’Neill’s Foundation Man and Festive Affair in Aintree’s Betfred Grand Sefton Handicap Chase on Saturday.

O’Neill’s Irish Grand National winner Shutthefrontdoor could race at Leopardstown on December 28 along with Gold Cup contender Holywell.