The 41lb improver who is testing his festival credentials in Grade 2 company at Cheltenham on Saturday

Skyjack Hijack, one of the revelations of the jumps season and an improver to the tune of 41lb since August, will test his credentials at Grade 2 level when seeking a seven-timer at Cheltenham on Saturday.

The progressive six-year-old was successful in a handicap hurdle at Cartmel off an official rating of 97 less than four months ago and now boasts a mark of 138 after an eyecatching winning run.

Skyjack Hijack, who is trained by Jennie Candlish and owned by Alan Baxter, landed the Weatherbys 'The French Furze' Novices' Hurdle at Newcastle last month and is set to run in Saturday's 3m novice hurdle (3.00) at Cheltenham. He is a best-priced 50-1 for the Albert Bartlett in March.

Alan O'Keeffe, assistant to Candlish, said: "He had a hairline fracture in a front leg after his first run for us at Aintree and we had to give him plenty of time. We always liked him but it probably took him a couple of runs to get his confidence back.

"His first win was at Cartmel on testing ground, which he definitely doesn't want, and his progress really started on a sounder surface. I can't say we expected him to make such big strides since August but he's always showed us plenty at home.

"Jumping is his biggest asset. He's very quick and slick at his hurdles, which is a massive advantage against less-experienced horses in novice hurdles."

Connections were planning to wait for the River Don Novices' Hurdle at Doncaster on January 25 but decided to put Skyjack Hijack in the Cheltenham race after monitoring the entries on Monday morning.

Skyjack Hijack: ran out a convincing winner at Newcastle last timeCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

O'Keeffe said: "We were astonished when tracking the entries. We expected to see a lot more high 130s-rated horses in there and some Irish entries, but they weren't and some of the British horses are being aimed at the Challow. It was a last-minute decision to put him in but the drying ground is a big plus and we're hoping it's a good opportunity.

"It's a new type of track and he needs to handle it. If the handicapper is right then he should be winning on ratings but it's not always as easy as that. It will give us a guide as to what we should be aiming towards later in the season."

Candlish surpassed last season's tally of 21 jumps winners with the victory of Fromheretoeternity at Hexham on Wednesday and the Staffordshire trainer's string has increased from 40 to 60 in recent months following a good run of form.

O'Keeffe said: "It's been great to have a flagbearer for the yard and our numbers have gone up recently. People can see we can handle horses like him and place him well and you need these horses to show what you are capable of.

"Stats are a big thing and thankfully ours have been good. We know they're not going to stay flying high all the time – every yard has its lulls – but the horses are healthy and running really well and the quality and quantity is on the rise."

Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle (3.00 Cheltenham, Saturday)

Paddy Power: 5-2 Skyjack Hijack, 3 Clondaw General, 4 Western Knight, 9-2 Ace Of Spades, 5 Jet Blue, 8 bar

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