Simonsig cut for Cheltenham Festival after sparkling start to chasing career under Barry Geraghty Most exciting of the trio was the enthusiastic Simonsig, who registered a 49-length victory on his chasing debut, though three of his rivals either fell or unseated in the first half of the race, leaving him with a simple task to beat home Sulpius, the only other finisher. Stan James make Simonsig the 9-4 favourite (from 11-4) for the Arkle at Cheltenham, though trainer Nicky Henderson is keen for him to get more jumping practice. He was good. He's shown he can jump fences, but we haven't really learnt anything. "I put him in the Wayward Lad Chase [at Kempton Park on Dec 27] as a precaution," the trainer pointed out, though further consultation between trainer, jockey and owner is likely to take place before the next target is finalised. Earlier, Geraghty partnered the Oliver Sherwood-trained Puffin Billy to an easy five-length win over Up To Something in the Mitie Kennel Gate Novice Hurdle. The win sparked bookmaker reaction that saw the four-year-old quoted at 10-1 (from 16-1) for the Supreme Novices Hurdle and 10-1 (from 14-1) for the Neptune Novices Hurdle by Coral. "It's very exciting to have a proper horse or two," Sherwood said. The trainer had described Puffin Billy as the best he had trained since Large Action, though he felt he was more a chasing type. Geraghty completed his treble on the Henderson-trained Captain Cutter, who beat the odds-on favourite Kings Palace in a close finish to get a quote of 14-1 for the Festival Bumper with William Hill. Meanwhile, it was announced that John Oaksey's name will be remembered at the Cheltenham Festival; it will be attached to the four-mile National Hunt Chase.