SUPREME Prince proved the potential equine star on show at Chepstow yesterday when romping away with the Redbridge Novices Hurdle for trainer Philip Hobbs.

The Paul Flynn partnered five-year-old was sent off a well supported 7/4 favourite and lengthened nicely to dispose of newcomer Tana River in clear style.

Hobbs has made no secret that he holds Supreme Prince in high regard and said afterwards: "He'd hopefully be in the premier league of our novice hurdlers and should go on from here.

"He could come back here for the Grade 2 Persian War Novices Hurdles next month. Funnily enough we won this race with One Knight last year and he went on to win the Persian War."

The new partnership forged between Peter Scudamore and Hereford-based trainer Denis Caro is proving fruitful at present and the pair sent out The Villager to land the Isis Showcase Handicap Hurdle.

Scudamore's son Tom was in the saddle as the gelding held off The Flyer by a length and a quarter, much to the delight of punters who had backed him to 10/11 favourite.

The winner could meet Supreme Prince in the Persian War next month as Scudamore senior said: "We have thought about coming back here for that race, but the other option is to go novice chasing."

Tony McCoy had an afternoon to forget on Martin Pipe's German import Boheidel which flopped badly and the well touted Before The Mast could manage only a dismal third.

Boheidel dropped away tamely in the Scottish Equitable/Jockey's Association Novices Hurdle behind Table Mountain who prospered from Taskmaster's last hurdle fall to collect.

There was a major course whisper for the Noel Chance trained Before The Mast in the Charnwood Intermediate NH Flat Race, but he was soundly put in his place by Desmond Tutu.