Roman Ark is clear of his rivals.

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Roman Ark booked his ticket for the Cheltenham Festival with an impressive victory over some classy rivals in the Imperial Leather Novices' Hurdle at Haydock Park on Saturday.

Malcolm Jefferson's progressive seven-year-old was sent off at 4-1 for the Grade Two contest.

Relishing the heavy going, he pulled his way to the front off the final bend in the two-mile contest and, apart from a slight mistake at the last, was never in any danger thereafter under Fergus King and came home eight lengths clear of Baby Run.

Roman Ark will be entered for the Letheby & Christopher Supreme Novices' Hurdle and the Royal & SunAlliance Novices' Hurdle at the Festival.

"He's a nice horse and it was a true-run race. He's done it great and he jumped great. Fergus said it was his fault at the last because he went short and he shouldn't have done because he's a horse who attacks his jumps," Jefferson said.

"He'll go on better ground but he may want a bit further on it. He's a galloper. He wouldn't be the quickest horse but he keeps galloping.

"Fergus said he settled great but as soon as he turned for home he took hold of his bridle and he went.

"He'll be entered in the Supreme and SunAlliance and that will probably be his next race.

"He's in the totesport Gold Trophy but if Rooster Booster runs he won't get in."

Ladbrokes make Roman Ark 20-1 for both Festival events, while William Hill go 10-1 for the Supreme and 14-1 for the Royal & SunAlliance.