Rouge is the King Of Warwick

Rouge Vif carried on his return to form in emphatic fashion when taking the Grade 2 Agetur UK Kingmaker Novices Chase for trainer Harry Whittingdon and jockey Gavin Sheehan.

A 7/2 chance at the off, on the back of his second in the Wayward Lad at Kempton at Christmas, he made a pillar to post round of safe, efficient jumping to score by 7 lengths from the well backed 5/4F Nube Negra, carrying on his fine return to form after a wind operation in November.

Torpillo and Rouge Vif took the lead, all jumping well as the field passed the stands with a circuit to run. All ran well within themselves until Torpillo was sketchy at the middle fence down the back, while Djingle was outpaced at rear at this stage with Moonlighter.

Nube Negra and Rouge Vif quickly cleared away after 3 out from their rivals, leaving Torpillo well behind to lead home the stragglers, including Precious Cargo, who despite all the hype beforehand never managed to land a blow. Swinging in it was clearly a straight fight between the favourite Nube Negra and the leader Rouge Vif, who was bowling along in front and evidently enjoying himself.

Over 2 out Rouge Vif had gone 2 lengths up on the favourite. He made a clearer getaway from the penultimate fences and quickly put more distance between him and his nearest rival heading down to the final fence. At the last he met it well and effortlessly and impressively cleared away to win by 7 lengths. Nube Negra was runner up, with Precious Cargo getting up for third.

Post race, he has been shortened into 16/1 for the Arkle at next month's Cheltenham Festival with the likes of Betfred and Ladbrokes, but can be backed for 33/1 with Betfair for the same contest. Rouge Vif has taken a seat at the top table of Britan's two mile novices for the major spring festivals, and it would be no surprise to see him enter the winner's enclosure at one of those.