Exciting jumper Pentiffic has the world at his feet after he completed a rare treble of wins culminating in the Grand National Steeplechase.If there were any doubts about an invitation to run in next year's Nakayama Grand Jump in Japan, the worlds' richest jumps race, then they were put to rest at Sandown on Sunday when the six-year-old added the National (4530m) to his dominant victories in the Hiskens and Crisp Steeplechases.Fran Houlahan and her partner Brian Johnston who co-train Pentiffic,

Exciting jumper Pentiffic has the world at his feet after he completed a rare treble of wins culminating in the Grand National Steeplechase.

If there were any doubts about an invitation to run in next year's Nakayama Grand Jump in Japan, the worlds' richest jumps race, then they were put to rest at Sandown on Sunday when the six-year-old added the National (4530m) to his dominant victories in the Hiskens and Crisp Steeplechases.

Fran Houlahan and her partner Brian Johnston who co-train Pentiffic, quickly seized on comparison with Strasbourg who was prepared by Houlahan's late father, legendary jumps trainer Jim Houlahan.

Strasbourg won all three races in 1977 when the Crisp was known as the Glamis Steeplechase.

"I used to strap Strasbourg and that was a big thrill but this isn't bad either," Houlahan said.

Johnston was even more enthusiastic about Pentiffic, describing him as good as Strasbourg and Sharp As who is widely regarded as the best hurdler Houlahan ever trained.

"I think he could be as good as anything that has come off the Houlahan farm in 30 years," Johnston said.

He said that while it was hard to compare eras, Pentiffic was right up there with the best.

"Strasbourg is the greatest steeplechaser as I have seen and Sharp was the greatest hurdler we had down there but this horse has gone from maiden jumper to topweight and winner of the Grand National steeple in his first season," Johnston said.

While 200 chanting protesters took aim at racegoers at the gates of Sandown racecourse, Johnston said Pentiffic's win was one of jumps racing's great success stories.

"This horse finished fifth in a $1000 race at Balnarring in March; has gone on to win close to half million (dollars) over jumps this season, and he will go and represent Australia overseas," Johnston said.

"He could end up anywhere in the world but if it wasn't for jumping he wouldn't be around."

Houlahan also took aim at the protesters.

"This a special day," Houlahan said.

"There are a whole heap of people out the front hoping we would all have a bad day but we have had a mighty day.

"Everyone has enjoyed spectacular racing and spectacular horses and it vindicates everything we have been trying to say."

Jockey Trent Wells was stuck for words when trying to find the appropriate superlative for Pentiffic and his emergence as Australia's best jumper.

He said he was as strong at the last jump as he was at the first.

Despite shouldering 69kg, Pentiffic cruised in the run and never gave his supporters who backed him in to $1.75 any reason for concern, striding away to win by five lengths from Grand Annual Steeplechase winner Sir Pentire and Mt Townsend and other 4-1/4 lengths away.

Australian Steeplechase winner Mazzacano was always last and was pulled up before the last fence. A veterinary examination revealed he was sore across the back.

Johnston said Pentiffic, who was has won five of his 10 jumps starts and is unbeaten in three steeplechase races was a "superior stayer and superior jumper".

"He just keeps blowing them away and just keeps winning by whatever you like,' Johnston said.