FOUNTAINS Windfall completed a hat-trick of victories under an enterprising ride from the front in the Gaskells Handicap Hurdle at Aintree.

After landing the odds in novice company at Wincanton and last time out at Plumpton, the lightly-raced seven-year-old successfully negotiated a step up back up in class to Grade Three company.

Racing into a clear lead under David Noonan after the second flight, the Anthony Honeyball-trained winner was not for stopping as he remained in pole position for the rest of the race.

Mosterton-based Honeyball said: “We have all along thought good ground and three miles would suit him, but we’ve never quite had those conditions.

“I didn’t mind him being in front, but it was just the way he looked to be doing plenty in front.

“It wasn’t like he gave Dave a breather or gave himself a chance.

“But once he was that far ahead, I think Dave thought ‘well I’m here now and I’ve just got to kick off the bend and make the best of our way home’.

“The right thing was to run him in a handicap, if he’d finished third in the Grade One he would have gone up a fair old bit, but actually we’ve achieved that. We’ve got a good handicap win into him.

“I think we will have to sit back and see what the handicapper does now and see what’s about (next season).

“We could try a little bit down the hurdle route for a couple of runs, but then he would make a lovely chaser.”