Iris's Gift - pushed out by Hills. (Getty Images)

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It Takes Time was cut to 10-1 from 20-1 for the Daily Telegraph Trophy at Cheltenham by Coral after scoring an unexpected 14-1 success in the £100,000 totesport Chase at Lingfield.

Much attention in the race surrounded the return to action of Iris's Gift, but despite jumping well in the main, last year's Stayers' Hurdle winner tired badly turning for home, weakening badly to finish a long last.

Hills pushed Iris's Gift out from 20-1 to 33-1 for next month's totesport Gold Cup, but owner Bob Lester said later he remains keen for his beloved grey to attempt to defy his inexperience over fences.

"If the boss (trainer Jonjo O'Neill) says different then we'll have to have a rethink, but I am still keen to go that way," said Lester.

"We had to start somewhere and today's trip would have been on the short side for him.

"It'll be tough to get another race into him before Cheltenham, but I remember a couple of years ago when he ran 12 days before finishing second to Baracouda in the Stayers' Hurdle, so it can be done."

Ollie Magern was trimmed to 4-1 clear favourite for the Royal & SunAlliance Chase by Coral after his gallant second place.

Elsewhere, Triumph Hurdle favourite Akilak was eased to 7-1 from 6s by totesport despite taking victory at Haydock, while Kingwell Hurdle winner Inglis Drever was cut to 16-1 from 20s for the Champion Hurdle.

Paul Nicholl's Cerium boosted his Festival prospects with a win in the novice hurdle at Wincanton and Hills responded by cutting him to 14-1 from 20s for the Triumph and to 20-1 from 33s for the Supreme Novices.