ALAN King does not seem to quite have the four-year-old strength of many recent seasons but L'Unique appears among the Barbury Castle trainer's brightest hopes after she came well clear in the William Hill - No.1 Downloaded Betting App Juvenile Hurdle at Kempton.

The 4-5 favourite, who also won on her British debut at Aintree, was never in trouble from the front under Robert Thornton and recorded an eight-length success.

"I'm very pleased with her and her jumping was absolutely superb," said King.

"I'm going to have to test her a bit now to see how good she is. I'm not saying she'll definitely go to Cheltenham - she will have an entry - and I will maybe look at the Adonis back here.

"She's not just a juvenile, she'll make a lovely chaser, and won't have more than two or three more runs this season."

The victory provided some cheer at the end of a trying week for King who lost his 2008 champion hurdler Katchit.

"It has been a tough week with losing Katchit, and another good horse, Lidar, injured himself at Lingfield yesterday by knocking a tendon off his hock. His career is probably over too."

Tetlami managed a dramatic if ultimately clear-cut victory in the williamhill.com Novices' Chase.

Barry Geraghty somehow clung on to the 30-100 favourite after a howler at the last fence on the first circuit, putting his feet back in the irons as he turned out into the country.

Kie was out in front but Geraghty was back swinging on the bridle and eased six lengths clear.

Asked for his gymnastic marks, Lambourn trainer Nicky Henderson said: "I think I'd give Barry a nine. He was lucky it was then, as there was time to recover.

"We've only just got him back and he's had wind operations but he's a good horse and has options on better ground in the spring."

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