Go Go Gonzo will cap his quick rise through the jumping ranks with a crack at one of the country’s most sought after prizes on Wednesday.

He was a dominant winner of Saturday’s Racecourse Hotel Sydenham Hurdles at Riccarton with a performance that left owner-trainer Sean Cameron with no choice but to give the eight-year-old his chance in the Hospitality NZ Canterbury Grand National Hurdles.

“He’s only in his first year of jumping and he’s come a long way in a short time, but we’ve got to have a go now,” he said.

Go Go Gonzo took top honours in the Sydenham by a widening eight and a half lengths from Heistheone with last year’s winner Ngario, who then also went on to claim the National, a disappointing third.

He enjoyed a cosy run near the pace and when he shouldered into the clear 600 metres from home the expectation was that he would assert his superiority. Instead, he was under pressure soon after and only plugged to the line.

By contrast, Go Go Gonzo was full of running after taking control at the top of the straight and he forged clear under a kind ride from Hamish McNeill.

The son of Golan had won two of his last three starts and at his most recent appearance he had finished sixth at Timaru.

“He got taken on in front and made a couple of mistakes,” Cameron said. “That took the stuffing out of him and you never know what that can do to their confidence, but he’s won really well today.”