Royal Village showed the benefit of a wind operation and a switch to fences when winning at Market Rasen under Tom O’Brien.
He took well to the bigger obstacles and jumped really well for Tom.
He had a battle on his hands after the last with the favourite, Whoshotwho, but put his head down and forced a dead-heat on the line.
The handicapper shouldn’t be too hard on him for this effort and he has the stamina to be effective over a longer trip.