Kadount - winner (Getty Images).

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Kadount, considered an Arkle Trophy horse by trainer Alan King at the beginning of the season, kept his name in the frame for that prize when landing the coralpoker.com Kingmaker Novices' Chase at Wincanton on Saturday.

The 2-1 joint-favourite was giving 3lb to his market rival Locksmith, but the writing was on the wall for the latter when he took a keen hold and made a couple of mistakes.

He eventually fell after being headed at the third-last fence.

Robert Thornton had not moved on Kadount, who was then allowed to stroll home unchallenged by six lengths from the rank outsider Roofing Spirit.

King is now torn between a run in the Arkle or the Grand Annual at Cheltenham, although the trainer is in no rush to commit his charge either way.

King said: "He's rated 134 and we will have to see what the handicapper does. He will definitely be going to Cheltenham and it will be the Arkle or the two-mile handicap.

"He's a very good workhorse at home but it's taken me two years to really get to know him and my inclination is to keep him to the minimum distance.

"It was a strange old race but he's won well and he's only done two bits of work since his previous start at Uttoxeter."