Brewster (right) asserts on the run-in.

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Brewster's recent scale of improvement maintained its upward momentum as he gave trainer Ian Williams and jockey David Dennis a first British Grade One success at Newbury.

And the duo will go to Cheltenham next March with live hopes of a maiden Festival victory with Brewster, after his battling performance to take the stanjamesuk.com Challow Novices' Hurdle.

An expensive purchase after winning a bumper in Ireland two and a half years ago, Brewster's British career had required plenty of patience from owner John Poynton until suddenly things began to click into place.

The 3-1 winner took this step up in grade with ease to complete a hat-trick of wins that has seen him enter the betting for the Royal & SunAlliance Novice Hurdle as 14-1 second-favourite with Coral and Paddy Power behind Knowhere.

David Dennis settled Brewster in the pack as Keepthedreamalive made the early running followed closely by the Martin Pipe-trained newcomer Bannow Strand.

That horse was just being niggled along when he crashed out at the third-last flight - happily ending up only winded - leaving Brewster clear to sweep through for the lead.

Ladalko, the 13-8 favourite, launched a strong challenge, however, and the pair were neck and neck at the last.

But Brewster called on all his extra reserves and really stuck his neck out for a one-and-three-quarter length victory.

Keepthedreamalive, a 66-1 shot, plugged on for third some 13 lengths away.

"I didn't jump the last as well as I might have, but he has quickened away well, battled back, and is ever so game," said Dennis.

"Getting his head in front for the first time at Cheltenham did his confidence a load of good and he just keeps on improving.

"I've had some Grade Three wins before - I've won the Edward Hanmer Chase three times and the Lanzarote Hurdle but this is my first Grade One and hopefully we can go to Cheltenham with a real good chance."

Williams was equally delighted to get a win on the board at the highest level.

"I am very pleased to have my first British Grade One winner for Mr Poynton, who has been such a great supporter since I first started training," he said.

"It's even nicer that he's here today as he doesn't go racing very often.

"Brewster landed a bit flat-footed at the last but he picked up well again and that is the sort of tough horse he is.

"It took him a couple of years to get himself together after he first came to me. He had a few little niggly problems but we always knew that he had the ability.

"The plan had been to go for the new three-mile hurdle at the Festival but winning this opens up our options and we will have to look at the SunAlliance as well now.

"If the ground came up on the soft side, he would probably go there, whereas if it was quicker then it might be better to put his stamina to use over three miles.

"He handles fast ground but he is better with some cut as he has got a bit of a knee action."

Ladalko, who was slightly disappointing despite finishing second, will have a break now before returning in February en-route to running at Cheltenham.