The Aga Khan Studs-bred Hargam entered the reckoning for the Triumph Hurdle on Sunday when outclassing the opposition in the Scottish Triumph Hurdle Trial.

Sent off as the hot favourite for this Listed hurdle, Hargam was held up in the early stages by Tony McCoy before taking control of the race two flights from home. The pair cantered to the line six lengths ahead of their nearest rival.

The grey son of Sinndar has barely put a foot wrong since joining Nicky Henderson for a jumping career. Hargam immediately made a favourable impression when finishing second, beaten under a length, in a Grade 2 contest at Cheltenham in November and has since won both his outings, at Cheltenham and Musselburgh. Following this latest success, his handler Nicky Henderson indicated that Hargam is now likely to be aimed directly at the Cheltenham Festival.

Hargam was bought privately by J P McManus after three races on the flat for Alain de Royer Dupré, including a victory at Longchamp from future Group 3 winner Guardini (Dalakhani). By talented dual-purpose sire Sinndar, Hargam is out of an unraced Galileo half-sister to Poule d’Essai des Poulains winner Vahorimix.

If he were to win the Gr.1 Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham, Hargam would follow in the footsteps of fellow Aga Khan Studs-breds Zaynar (Daylami) and Zarkandar (Azamour), successful in the race in 2009 and 2011.