CAPTAIN CHRIS, last season’s top two-mile novice chaser, is set to begin the new campaign in the Betfred Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter on Tuesday.

PAUL Nolan is looking forward to stepping Noble Prince up in trip for the first time over fences in the Jewson Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham on Thursday.

SATURDAY’S reopened StanJames.com International Hurdle at Cheltenham has attracted the anticipated classy field with Menorah and Cue Card among the nine entries.

PHILIP Hobbs can look forward to plotting a route back to Cheltenham for next year’s Champion Hurdle after Menorah’s battling qualities saw him take the Greatwood Handicap Hurdle under top weight yesterday.

Captain Chris rewarded the smattering of racegoers at Kempton with a performance of genuine substance in the Bet Multiples - Betdaq 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle.

Sarah Hobbs had a frustrating time of it at Doncaster but having motored further up the A1 to Wetherby she saw the stable’s luck change as Kornati Kid booked a trip to the Cheltenham Festival.

Sam Thomas warmed up for the biggest ride of his career on Kauto Star at the weekend with a confidence-boosting success on board the Paul Nicholls-trained Geeveem at Wincanton.

Things are looking brighter for Robert Alner as the Dorset handler makes steady progress in hospital while his string hit the heights on the racecourse.