The Fred Winter Juvenile Novices' Handicap Hurdle appears the likely next port of call for Zarib following a sound effort in defeat at Cheltenham on Saturday.

Formerly trained in Ireland by Mick Halford, the four-year-old made a successful start to his jumping career at Newbury and was thrown in at the deep end in the Triumph Hurdle Trial on his second appearance.

Having been ridden positively, the youngster gave way in the straight and passed the post in third place behind Peace And Co.

Trainer Dan Skelton said: "My thoughts going into the race were that he might just get outstayed over two miles and one (furlong) on the New Course, and that's probably how it worked out.

"Future plans depend on what mark the handicapper decides to give him.

"If he gets a realistic mark, the obvious race to aim for would be the Fred Winter, which is run on the Old Course and I think that would have a bearing on things.

"If he doesn't get a mark that would get him into the Fred Winter, we'd have to have a rethink."

Another Skelton inmate bound for the Festival is Bertimont, who gave The New One a fright at Haydock.

The five-year-old looked to have stolen a march on Britain's leading Champion Hurdle hope halfway down the straight on Merseyside, but was eventually mowed down after the final flight.

Skelton said: "We'll go straight for the Champion Hurdle now.

"We know that, barring interference, the first three or four places are probably taken, but our horse deserves to take his chance."

Impressive Warwick winner Three Musketeers will not be heading to Cheltenham, with Skelton keen to give his charge more time.

The Warwickshire handler said: "The plan with him is to go to Aintree.

"He's won a Grade Two now and it would be nice to think he could win a Grade One, but the idea is to make him into a Grade One chaser.

"We just want to look after him for now and we'll save him for the Grand National meeting."