The Jump season cranks up a notch tomorrow with an excellent card at Cheltenham on day one of The Showcase, Friday, 25 October.
There are 77 runners across the seven races, with familiar names and potential stars of the future in action.
The clash of the day, on paper at least, sees Al Dancer (Nigel Twiston-Davies/Sam Twiston-Davies) and Getaway Trump (Paul Nicholls/Harry Cobden) go head to head on their respective chasing debuts in the £25,000 Squareintheair.com Novices' Chase (2.35pm, four runners) over two miles.
Al Dancer
Both six-year-olds landed valuable prizes over hurdles last season. Al Dancer captured the rearranged Betfair Hurdle at Ascot in February while Getaway Trump signed off with a commanding success under top-weight in the bet365 Novices' Championship Final Handicap Hurdle at Sandown Park on the final day of the season.
A select line-up also features northern raider Caius Marcius (Nicky Richards/Brian Hughes), who has won his last two starts at Newton Abbot in good style.
Wholestone (Nigel Twiston-Davies/Daryl Jacob), a multiple G2-winning hurdler at the Home of Jump Racing, bids for his second success from as many starts over fences in the £25,000 Matchbook Most Trusted Betting Exchange Novices' Chase (3.45pm, 3m 80y, eight runners).
Irish raider Dinons (Davy Russell), one of three runners on the card for trainer Gordon Elliott, and Rockpoint (Colin Tizzard/Robbie Power), who both scored over hurdles at Cheltenham last season, are among the opposition.
Classy bumper performer Master Debonair (Colin Tizzard/Robbie Power) faces 11 rivals on his hurdling debut in the £15,000 Foundation Developments Ltd Maiden Hurdle (4.20pm) over an extended two miles.
Master Debonair defeated recent G2 victor Thyme Hill in a Listed bumper at The November Meeting and then ended last season with a creditable fifth in the G2 Weatherbys Racing Bank bumper at Aintree's Grand National Festival.
Joe Tizzard, assistant to his father, said: "Master Debonair is in good form and it has been the plan to go for this race.
"He was making a noise at the end of last season, so we have done his wind and we are happy with him.
"He shows plenty of pace and could well be a Supreme Novices' Hurdle horse.
"He has had plenty of schooling, and we think he is one of our most exciting novices for the season ahead."
Master Debonair (nearside), winning at The November Meeting in 2018
The 12 runners also include promising French imports Fred (Nicky Henderson/Daryl Jacob) and Cap Du Mathan (Paul Nicholls/Harry Cobden), who are both making their British debuts, plus unbeaten mare Getariver (Dan Skelton/Harry Skelton).
Ireland has two in-form contenders in the opening race of The Showcase, the £20,000 Ballymore Novices' Hurdle (2.00pm, eight runners) over two miles and five furlongs.
Gordon Elliott saddles Braid Blue (Richard Johnson), who is chasing a five-timer following wins at Perth and Ffos Las during the summer, while the Charles Byrnes-trained Doctor Duffy (Davy Russell) comes into the race on the back of a comfortable victory at Navan on 28 September.
The home challenge is led by second season novice Champagne Well (Fergal O'Brien/Paddy Brennan), who finished sixth in a G1 contest at Aintree on his latest start, and eye-catching bumper scorer L'Air Du Vent (Colin Tizzard/Robbie Power).
A field of 19 go in the £16,800 Two Farmers Crisps Handicap Hurdle (3.10pm) over two miles and five furlongs, the first of three handicaps on the card.
Local trainer Martin Keighley is hoping for a bold showing from Back On The Lash (Patrick Cowley (5), 11st)), who like some of his rivals is already on the scoresheet this season having captured a handicap hurdle at Exeter on 10 October.
Keighley, who is based at Condicote, said: "Back On The Lash produced a tough performance to win at Exeter.
"He isn't overly big, but he jumped for fun that day and simply doesn't know when he is beaten.
"He runs well fresh, so it was good for him to win first time up. This is another step up and it is only a two-week gap between Exeter and Cheltenham.
"However, he seems in good form at home and the step up to two miles and five furlongs should be in his favour - hopefully he can run well."
Charles Byrnes and Davy Russell team up with The Big Galloper (10st 11lb), who was well-backed when shedding his maiden tag in a maiden hurdle at Roscommon on 30 September.
The other races on the card are the £16,800 Ryman Stationery Cheltenham Business Club Amateur Riders' Handicap Chase (4.55pm, 3m 1f, 13 runners) and the concluding £16,400 "Matchbook Betting Exchange Podcast" Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle (5.30pm, 2m ½f, 13 runners).
The going at Cheltenham is Good to Soft, Good in places following 6mm of rain overnight.
Showers are expected today, with further rain forecast on Friday afternoon.
Rail movements: hurdle bends dolled out seven yards, chase bends 10 yards. Distances increased as follows:
Race 1 add 66 yards
Race 2 add 63 yards
Race 3 add 66 yards
Race 4 add 126 yards
Race 5 add 44 yards
Race 6 add 126 yards
Race 7 add 44 yards
Away from the track, the racecourse will stage its first Cheltoberfest - Cheltenham's twist on the ever-popular Oktoberfest.
The ticketed event takes place in The Centaur over both days of The Showcase and includes live German and Bavarian Oompah music from The Bierkeller Boys, a range of local real ales and Magners Cider, plus tips from a racing tipster before racing commences.
More information can be found at:
https://www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/cheltenham/events-tickets/th e-showcase/cheltoberfest/
Throughout the day on Saturday, 26 October, there will be a variety of entertainment and demonstrations in The Parade Ring, available in the Club/Tattersalls Enclosure, including:
*A demonstration from the Riding for the Disabled.
*Learn about racehorse anatomy with Rachel Keeble.
*Matt Nicholls (Kim Bailey's assistant) will be talking through how to prepare a racehorse for a day at the races.
*Josh Stacey from the Racing Post will be on hand to provide a tipster talk ahead of racing.
*South West Syndicate Horses will be on parade between racing, a perfect opportunity to find out more and become part of our Syndicate - further details are available at:
https://www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/cheltenham/membership-and-offers/syndicate-ownership/
As well as entertainment and demonstrations in the Parade Ring, there are stalls and stands to see in the Tattersalls Sales Arena located in the Club/Tattersalls Enclosure, including:
*Representatives from the British Racing School will be available to answer any questions for those that are interested in working in the horseracing industry. More information is available at https://brs.org.uk/
*Retraining of Racehorses will be educating racegoers on a racehorse's life after their career in racing.
*Racing to School delivers free outdoor learning activities for young people at racecourses, studs and trainers' yards across the country. They will be around to teach you how to ride a racehorse with demonstrations and the opportunity for you to have a go by riding the equisizer.
*Matt from Beltane Forge will be showcasing his talent with a live demonstration straight from the forge.
