Chipping Norton trainer Charlie Longsdon was thrilled to see Our Kaempfer finally starting to fulfil his promise by following up his Market Rasen victory with a smooth success at Kempton, writes Russell Smith.

Noel Fehily gave the six-year-old a confident waiting ride before storming through to beat Port Melon by a length and three-quarters in a novices’ hurdle over two miles and five furlongs.

Longsdon said of the 9-2 shot: “It has taken a lot of time to get him going over hurdles.

“He has always been a lovely horse. He showed that by coming fifth in the Aintree bumper.

“But he bolted on the way to the start at the Cheltenham Festival last year and at Ascot this year.

“He has won nicely and he is improving and learning all the time.”

Our Kaempfer could now head to either Aintree, Ayr or Punchestown in a bid to complete the hat-trick.

Longsdon was out of luck at the Cheltenham Festival earlier in the week.

Pendra produced his best result when finishing a creditable fifth to The Druids Nephew in the Ultima Business Solutions Handicap Chase on the opening day.

He added: “I honestly thought he would be second jumping the last, but he wandered badly up the run in losing momentum and a chance of being placed.”