The jumps programme book will provide bedtime reading for Nigel Twiston-Davies over the next couple of nights after Fundamentalist left the trainer starry-eyed and dreaming of the future with an impressive victory in the Independent Newspaper Novices' Chase at Cheltenham today.
The drop back to two miles for a contest won within the last three years by both Best Mate and Azertyuiop proved no problem whatsoever to the talented six-year-old, who turned in an utterly flawless performance.
Carl Llewellyn pushed the horse ahead in the back straight to make use of his stamina, and although Contraband stuck around and disputed the lead at some points, Fundamentalist pulled clear two fences from home to score by eight lengths.
The winner was sent off 2-1 second favourite behind My Will, who travelled well in third under Ruby Walsh, but a mistake at the second-last put paid to his chances.
Bookmakers looking to tempt punters into backing Fundamentalist to make a successful return trip to Cheltenham at next year's Festival were left puzzling out which race to quote him for as Twiston-Davies claimed that nothing had been ruled out.
It was a far cry from Bindaree's 2002 Grand National success, the day on which Twiston-Davies, disillusioned despite having just won the world's most famous jumps race, announced his intention to quit the game altogether.
Two and a half years on he has a stable packed with talent and, although still shying from the spotlight, he has learnt how to enjoy success again.
"Perhaps I should not mention him in the same breath as Desert Orchid but he did that sort of thing, winning over two miles and three miles, and it would be great to think Fundamentalist could be even half as good," he said.
"He's never been off the bridle in any of his races yet and this was just his fifth race under Rules. He is a very delicate horse and if there are any bugs going around then he will catch them. He got a travel sickness thing coming back from Perth and was feeling pretty sorry for himself for a few days, but I knew he has got over that.
"The thing is that this really poses more questions than it gives us answers. It would be lovely to think that he might be a Gold Cup horse one day, maybe even this season. If not how about a Champion Chase? Either would do me."