BERGO has the Nakayama Grand Jump in Japan as a long-term target after maintaining his unbeaten record in the HM Plant Hitachi Novices' Chase at Ffos Las.

The seven-year-old was entitled to win the three-runner contest as he did — on the bridle throughout — as he was sent off the 30-100 favourite due to the withdrawal of The Jazz Musician.

Now with Gary Moore, having spent last season with Evan Williams, the Harry Findlay-owned gelding was given an educational ride by Tony McCoy as he beat Danehill Willy by 18 lengths.

He holds an entry in the Arkle at the Cheltenham Festival next week but the Far East is instead calling him next year.

Circuit

"I think Tony made it each of two (couldn't split them) because he rode them both last year but I said, 'Tony, this isn't the Bergo you rode last year, mate,"' said Findlay.

"I know his German form doesn't amount to much but, with all due respect, Danehill Willy was beaten with a circuit to go.

"The plan is to go for the Grand Jump in Japan next year. I don't care if we miss Aintree as well as Cheltenham.

"I think they'll go a fast pace in the Arkle, which would suit him, but he was a problem horse when Gary got him from Evan, who did a great job. "It's taken so long to get his confidence up that I don't want to send him there next week when it's been such a long job."

McCoy had another short-priced winner when in-form Rebecca Curtis saddled Black Jack Blues (1-4 favourite) to win the Barry Waters Catering Novices' Hurdle.

Twice a scorer in bumpers, he was following a win at Ludlow last month when beating Cresswell Pride by 10 lengths.

"He won like a good thing but Tony said he didn't like the ground — he wasn't letting himself down," said Curtis.

"We always thought he wanted quick ground, though.

Settled

"He won't take a lot of racing. He probably needs a break now but he settled and Tony said he'd probably get a trip now."

Evan Williams was in hot water with the stewards, who found him guilty of schooling in public with Whatdoyoucallit.

Williams was fined £3,000 and jockey Donal Fahey given a 14-day ban (March 22-April 4).

The horse was banned for 40 days after finishing sixth.

Young Lee Edwards is rapidly making a name for himself, helped in no small measure by the red-hot form of trainer Tony Carroll.

The pair combined to land a 356-1 double courtesy of Walls Way (20-1) and Blazing Buck (16-1).

Walls Way's victory looked unlikely in the form book but Carroll put the change in fortunes down to the better ground in the Trustmark Stationary Stores Handicap Hurdle.

"We always thought he was a nice horse but he's been disappointing, he has been running on softer ground, though, so we were hoping the ground would help him," said Carroll.

Blazing Buck may reappear at the Festival next week after his win in the Best Western Diplomat Hotel Handicap.

"He's a bit of a thinker but we stepped him up in trip to two and a half miles and it suited him down to the ground," said Edwards. "He may run in the Fred Winter next week with a penalty."

Richard Johnson gave Tim Vaughan's Chapel Flowers (3-1) a positive ride in the Absolute Marquees Handicap Chase.

Johnson attributed the victory to the quicker surface.

"It definitely felt like we were going a stride quicker in the straight on this better ground," said Johnson, who also landed the concluding bumper aboard Rudanphast (11-2).