Gibralfaro caught the brave frontrunner Duke Of Medina in the final strides at Kempton

Gibralfaro caught brave frontrunner Duke Of Medina in the final strides at Kempton to earn a prominent pitch in the ante-post market for the JCB Triumph Hurdle.

Gavin Sheehan was at his most enterprising aboard the runner-up. who he booted clear coming out of the back straight and still held a clear advantage heading to the final flight.

But while the better-fancied runners quickly tired in their battle to catch the leader, the Alan King-trained Gibralfaro (9/1) made steady inroads into the lead and, hitting top gear just as Duke Of Medina began to tire, suddenly surged past in the final strides to score by half a length in the colours of the McNeill family.

King observed: "He came from the same source as Walkon, Mille Chief and Oceane and hasn't been with me long.

"On the back of that, we thought we must have him.

"I didn't want to aim him too high, but he'll come on a bundle and well have to aim him at the triumph now.

"Well need to get another win into him, and take it from there."

Hutchinson was equally elated and commented: "I was confident coming round the bend, but Harry Whittington's horse (the runner-up) kept me in a pocket and then went again.

"He was green over the last two, but there's a big engine under the bonnet, that's for sure."

Along with other bookmakers, Sky Bet initially quoted him at 25/1 for the Triumph Hurdle after the race, but soon responded to support by cutting him first to 20/1 and then to 16/1.

"Alan King has a very strong hand in the juvenile hurdle division and Gibralfaro is another string to his bow," said spokesman Michael Shinners. "The race today looked a decent one with plenty of winners and he looks a very good recruit with the front two pulling well clear."