Christmas can come early for Charlie Mann followers if Valley Hall has made the expected progress in time for the EBF Mares’ Only “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle qualifier at Ludlow.

VENETIA WILLIAMS hopes to strike while the iron is hot with Jolly Boy after the lightly-raced six-year-old comfortably lumped a 7lb penalty to victory at Fontwell yesterday.

Venetia Williams hopes to strike while the iron is hot with Jolly Boy after the lightly-raced six-year-old comfortably lumped a 7lb penalty to victory at Fontwell.