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Faasel continued his progress towards the JCB Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham with an easy victory under Tony Dobbin at Ayr on Sunday afternoon.

Sent off the 1-5 favourite for the West Sound Managing Directors Novices' Hurdle, the Nicky Richards-trained four-year-old lobbed along in fourth for much of the way.

Although jumping slightly big at some of the flights, Faasel collared long-time leader Armentieres at the last, and with a shake of the reins he sprinted clear of his rivals.

He finished five lengths ahead of Ambition Royal, with Armentieres a further two and a half lengths back in third.

"He did it well and I may run him again, maybe at Haydock next weekend," Richards told Racing UK.

"I wanted to get today over, and it was probably a bit of a help that there was no racing here yesterday. It is heavy ground, and it is nice to get him back in one piece.

"Tony and I are very pleased, more with his jumping than anything, because he is such a laid-back character who takes everything with a pinch of salt.

"When he gets more pace in a race, he will be a lot better."