NICKY Henderson's Bloody Mary was cut in the betting for the inaugural Trull House Stud Mares' Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham after winning on her British debut at Taunton.

Bought by JP McManus after winning six of her seven races in France, she began her career in Britain in the Openbet Novices' Hurdle.

Starting her career at a fairly lowly level in Britain, the five-year-old nevertheless came up against a decent opponent in Philip Hobbs' Banyu, who had won at Ludlow in November.

But having travelled through the race very strongly in the hands of Barry Geraghty, everything looked to be going to plan for the 4-6 favourite.

However, Banyu looked a big threat running between the final two flights and Geraghty had to get pretty serious before Bloody Mary exerted her influence to win by two and a quarter lengths.

McManus' racing manager Frank Berry said: "It was nice to see her continue her winning run, it can only help her confidence.

"She was workmanlike, but she likes that soft ground.

"I'll have to have a chat to Nicky to see what route he thinks is best to go down and see how she comes out of this.

"The pleasing thing was how well she jumped British hurdles on her first run over them as sometimes it can catch the French types out.

"She's got a lovely way about her. She was very game and she's an interesting type going forward."

Paddy Power cut Bloody Mary to 10-1 from 14s for the new Festival race.

The feature event on the card went to Chris Down's Sea Wall (8-1), back over smaller obstacles in the Bathwick Tyres Handicap Hurdle.

His chasing career was heading down the wrong path after a promising start and the return to timber looks set to reap further dividends after this 10-length stroll under Tom Cannon.

"He was very keen, but luckily he did just drop it (the bit) with a circuit to go," said Cannon.

"Down the back we got racing quite soon which helped him drop his head and I was quite surprised how well he was going turning in.

"He probably wasn't doing much after the last and I was probably harder on him than I needed to be, but I just wanted to make sure.

"Over fences he'd just lost his bottle a bit."

Colin Tizzard's Sonny The One (11-4) just held on from Cork Citizen and Ballyoliver in the Bathwick Tyres Handicap Chase.

Winning rider Brendan Powell said: "He makes it hard work for himself and myself but he kept finding in front.

"He's learning all the time and that's the best he's travelled in a race."

Fergal O'Brien's Gallic Warrior (2-1) was a relatively easy winner of the Southwest Racing Club Novices' Limited Handicap Chase for Paddy Brennan, despite a heart-stopping moment when he clouted the final fence.

Brennan told At The Races: "I schooled him at home and I taught him well so he's clever!

"Two runs ago at Ludlow I thought he was the biggest certainty to ever set foot on a racecourse but he got beat and the winner (Truckers Highway) has won three of his next four since.

"We tried him at three miles last time out but he didn't stay so came back to two-two.

"He was fresh and well, and it's worked."