Brian Ellison has suggested Cormier will now head to Cheltenham on the back of his Morebattle Hurdle victory at Kelso on Saturday.

Low sun meant a revised course in the Scottish Borders and the six-year-old demonstrated the speed he has gained from 21 career starts on the flat, as Sean Quinlan guided him home to win by a length and a half. 

Stuart Crawford's Saint D'oroux was second on the day, while the Skeltons had to settle for third with their entry, Faivoir. 

Saturday's result marked Cormier's second win in a row, his first having come in a Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham on January 29. 

A Festival debut is now on the cards for this son of Born To Sea and Ellison will have an extra incentive to get him right due to the prize laid on by Kelso. 

The Scottish track is ready to pay out £100,000 should the winner of the Morebattle Hurdle go on to repeat the trick later this month at Prestbury Park. 

Emmet Mullins' The Shunter did just that 12 months ago, triumphing in the Paddy Power Plate Handicap Chase, and Cormier currently has two entries for this month's showpiece. 

A run in the Coral Cup over 2m5f is an option, but connections may opt for a go at the County Hurdle, which is run over a more familiar 2m1f. 

That was the same trip the gelding won over in Gloucestershire in January and a look at his record suggests those who know him have earmarked in and around two miles as his distance. 

With part-owner Dan Gilbert living close to Cheltenham, a Festival run always seemed on the cards. 

After Saturday's success and with his recent win at Prestbury Park fresh in the memory, Ellison seems keen to see how his charge performs on the biggest stage. 

He said: "He's a great little horse who never lets you down.

"He used to be very keen when we first got him but he's obviously settled now and you can switch him off. 

"He's just improved with racing and is a lot more grown up than he used to be. 

"Sean said he was off the bit early on today they were going that quick, then he's just come hard on it at the top bend. If anything he got there too early. 

"Taking the hurdles in the straight out didn't bother him as he's won a few races on the Flat.

"He's won at Cheltenham, so we know he acts round there. Whether he's good enough, it doesn't really matter — he's won a £100,000 race now and Dan [Gilbert, part-owner] lives over the road from Cheltenham."