The Millennium Grand National is the long-term aim of Village King after notching his fourth chasing victory on the bounce at Cheltenham yesterday.

Philip Hobbs's five-year-old jumped positively at the head of affairs for Richard Dunwoody before holding the strong challenge of River Dawn in the Racing Channel Available on Telewest Novices' Handicap Chase.

The gelding's veteran owner Bill Edwards-Heathcote, whose colours were worn to victory by Bula in the 1972 and '73 Champion Hurdle at the course is hoping Village King is still on song for the Grand National at Aintree in the year 2000.

"This horse has taken to fences really well," stated Heathcote, who used to train in his own right not far from Hobbs's current base near Minehead in Somerset.

Hobbs and the jockey appeared to have an outstanding chance of a double with jumping newcomer Doctor Goddard in the Tim Emanuel Juvenile Novices' Hurdle but the gelding proved a very unlucky runner-up to favourite Hit and Run.

The ex-Tommy Stack gelding was upsides the eventual winner three out but landed awkwardly and slithered to a virtual halt before regaining his composure and staying on so strongly there was only a length and three-quarters between the pair at the line.

Conditional rider Jamie Magee partnered his 10th winner of the season after the former Willie Browne-trained gelding Explain This came good on his British debut in the Britool Automotive Maiden Hurdle.

Magee gave the six-year-old a patient ride before pouncing after the final flight and staying on well up the hill to defy Hot To Trot by a length and three-quarters.

Swindon trainer Jeff King broke the ice for the term when Country Beau and Liam Cummins held off favourite Decoupage by a couple of lengths for the Gloster Building Supplies Handicap Hurdle.

Cab On Target proved a comfortable winner of the Enigma Night-club Amateur Riders Handicap Chase under Alan Dempsey when staying on close home to get the better of Cavalero.