Measured Time capped a fine evening for Charlie Appleby and owners Godolphin when winning the Jebel Hatta at Meydan in great style.

The 6-5 favourite was the pick of three runners for the Moulton Paddocks handler in the nine-furlong Group One and was never far away, tracking the pace set by the stablemate Highland Avenue, while also keeping a close eye on Saeed bin Suroor’s 1000 Guineas heroine Mawj.

The son of Frankel proved to be in the ideal spot to strike rounding the turn for home and stormed clear when big-race pilot William Buick pressed the button, surging to a one-and-three-quarter-length success from Appleby’s Ottoman Fleet, who stayed on to provide Appleby with a one-two in the ‘Fashion Friday’ feature.

Having taken his record to five victories from six starts, the four-year-old’s Jebel Hatta success earns him a spot in the Dubai Turf on Dubai World Cup night, with his trainer confirming that would be next on the agenda.

“That was our pencilled plan coming into this evening,” said Appleby.

“Master Of The Seas was due to go to America for the Pegasus and with this horse coming through the grades, we weren’t 100 per cent sure he would book his ticket, so we didn’t send Master Of The Seas thinking he could definitely be a runner on World Cup night in the Dubai Turf as well.

“This horse has gone and won his invitation into it and now has a great chance of a bonus. I would rather have two darts than one.

“He’s a half-brother to Rebel’s Romance and we know what that horse has done over a mile and a half and that’s why we started going that route. When he ran with a hood at Kempton, Will felt he just felt numb and having removed the hood since then, it’s been the changing of him.”

Recent carnival winner Mysterious Night (11-10 favourite) got the evening up and running for Sheikh Mohammed’s racing operation when Buick weaved his way to the front aboard Appleby’s four-year-old in the Group Two Al Fahidi Fort.

“The gap looked like it was open and then it was closing, but I had already committed and I’m just delighted he is showing his class now,” said Buick.

“It is a great training performance by Charlie and the team at home to bring him back just seven days after his win last week and he’s a horse we held in high-regard as a two-year-old, so I’m delighted he has shown us what he is capable of.

“He’s a horse who wears his heart on his sleeve and put in a big performance last week. He’s a horse who is still on the up.”

There was further success for the Moulton Paddocks handler when Star Of Mystery (7-4 favourite) supplemented her Al Wasl Stakes success by flying home in the hands of Mickael Barzalona to pip Czech speedster Ponntos in the shadow of the post.

Appleby said: “We’ll probably come back here on Super Saturday first and then look at what happens World Cup night.

“The six-furlong races back in Europe are a stiff six there and over five I think she gets into a better rhythm.

“Over six she just travels a little bit too generous, whereas over five they just put her on her head a little bit early doors and it just allows her to run the race the right way round.”

Appleby made it four on the night and Buick three as Siskany grabbed victory in a photo finish to the Al Khail Trophy.

The main action on the dirt saw Doug Watson land his first Group One winner with the Pat Dobbs-ridden Kabirkhan claiming the Al Maktoum Challenge in the manner of a horse well worth his place in the Dubai World Cup line-up.

“I’m excited and it’s our first Group One winner, it really means a lot,” said Watson.

“There’s not many of them for a stable like ours to run in, so it is really nice and I’m delighted for the owners – Pat gave him a great ride. I think we knew turning in where he was going and it’s just really nice to have such a nice horse.

“We will see what they (owner Tlek Mukanbetkaliyev) want to do and there is a third leg (of the Al Maktoum Challenge) on Super Saturday, but if they want to go straight to the World Cup, I would be very happy with that and he ran great after a long layoff from September so I don’t think it would be any problem getting him fit.”

Jamie Snowden rekindled his love affair with the Grand Military Gold Cup as Farceur Du Large provided the trainer with a fifth victory in the Sandown feature.

Formerly a captain in the King’s Royal Hussars, Snowden landed the prize four times in six years as a jockey between 2002 and 2007, with three of those wins provided by champion trainer Paul Nicholls.

Having enjoyed spells as pupil assistant to the Ditcheat handler and later as assistant to Nicky Henderson, Snowden began his own training career in 2008 and is fast approaching the 400-winner mark.

With Major Will Kellard in the saddle, Farceur Du Large was an 11-1 shot to get the Snowden name back on the Grand Military Gold Cup winner’s board and found plenty for pressure from the final fence to see off the challenge of 85-40 favourite Rose Of Arcadia by four and a quarter lengths.

Farceur Du Large was making his debut for the Snowden stable, having been bought for £16,000 from Gigginstown House Stud in August with this race in mind.

“It was a very good race to me as a jockey during my short service time in the army. To come back and win it as a trainer is great as it is where it all started off,” said Snowden.

“If it wasn’t for these kinds of days I wouldn’t be where I am today. I remember a day at Sandhurst when I was on officer training and there was a knock on the door of the guards’ room I was in. I was ushered up to the commandant’s office thinking I was in trouble.

“It turned out that the jockey that was supposed to be riding the Royal Irish Hussars horse the following day was stuck in a mortar attack in Northern Ireland and I got the call up.

“The following day instead of going into the gas chamber (for a training exercise), I went into the commandant’s car to Sandown to ride the winner of the Grand Military Gold Cup. I then ended up at the Royal Lodge (Windsor) having a drink with the Queen and Queen Mother.

“Throughout my whole army career I ended up riding horses from that one day, and it has catapulted me into the position that I am in today.

“It is not the most prestigious of races we have been lucky enough to win, but in my heart it is a very special race.”

Kellard, 32, saluted the crowd after passing the post in front and was clearly elated.

He said: “That is my first winner full stop. I’ve been riding since about 2015. I’ve finished second in this, and I’ve come third in it. I’ve come second in point-to-points. I’ve hit the crossbar that many times so it has been a long time coming. It is some feeling.

“I would have been happy to keep on riding around here and never ride a winner, but to win the Grand Military Gold Cup is something else.

“I hope we come back here in a few weeks for the Royal Artillery Gold Cup. I’m still serving so it is a challenge to fit it all in, but to ride a couple of times around here each year makes it all worth it.”

Major Charlie O’Shea partnered Georgi Girl (7-2 favourite) to victory in the Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Amateur Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle.

Having won the Grand Military Gold Cup on the same card two years ago aboard Rolling Dylan, O’Shea again hit target as he guided this Philip Hobbs and Johnson White-trained mare to a 19-length victory.

O’Shea said: “They said to me coming in that she was in good order and the stable is in top form. The hard work was done before me - I had loads of horse turning in.

“Johnson gave me a call a few weeks ago and said ‘why haven’t you been to ride out as we have got a couple of nice horses for you’. I said I would come in and this was the payback.

“When a yard like that does all the hard work for me, I just turn up, steer her around and come in grinning.”

Gary Moore enjoyed a double on the card, with Ballybentragh (6-1) initiating the brace when landing the Cardinal Wolsey ‘National Hunt’ Novices’ Hurdle for his ebullient owner-jockey David Maxwell.

The point-to-point recruit coped well with conditions on his debut under rules and proved two and a quarter lengths too strong for the 30-100 favourite Southoftheborder.

Moore said: “He has always worked like a nice horse and he loves his jumping. I’ve not had him that long to be honest with you and a lot of the credit must go to Noel Fehily, who has pre-trained him with David Crosse.

“I’d like to think he can improve a bit for today. He is a lovely, big horse and he should be jumping a fence. He will go chasing next season.”

Moore doubled up with the Niall Houlihan-ridden Kotmask, who comfortably justified 3-1 favouritism in the Long Water Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase.

Harry Cobden booted home the last two winners of the day, landing the Hampton Court Handicap Hurdle on Havaila (100-30) and the Anne Boleyn Novices’ Handicap Hurdle on Gyllen (5-1).

Nicky Henderson’s Jonbon bids to continue a fine season in the My Pension Expert Clarence House Chase at Cheltenham on Saturday.

The eight-year-old has won both starts this term, taking the Shloer Chase by nine and a half lengths ahead of Edwardstone on his seasonal debut in November.

He then went to Sandown for the Tingle Creek, beating the same rival again to claim a two-and-three-quarter-length victory on heavy ground.

Nico de Boinville took the ride on both occasions to deputise for Jonbon’s usual rider Aidan Coleman, who is out injured, but De Boinville himself is now on the sidelines and James Bowen has been called up in his absence.

The contest was scheduled to take place at Ascot last weekend but when the meeting was called off due to frost, Cheltenham became the alternative host, scuppering an anticipated clash with Willie Mullins’ El Fabiolo.

Frank Berry, racing manager to owner JP McManus, said: “Nicky is very happy with him and we’re hoping for a good run and that all goes well. We’re looking forward to him.

“It will be nice ground there and it can only be a benefit to him to get some more Cheltenham experience.

“James is riding really well and riding plenty of winners and we’re looking forward to seeing him riding him.”

Henderson added via his Unibet blog: “It is a job well done by the Jockey Club and the British Horseracing Authority to get this race restaged and we are very happy to be taking part.

“Unfortunately, it’s not the clash we all wanted with El Fabiolo, but Jonbon is there and in great form at home.

“James has done plenty of schooling on him, primarily because we had him on standby for Ascot in case Nico wasn’t back in time, but as it was the race was off anyway. Hopefully this will set him up nicely for the Festival.”

Jonbon will face four rivals, amongst them Gary Moore’s Editeur Du Gite – fourth behind him in the Shloer and the winner of the Desert Orchid last time out.

Elixir De Nutz, third in the Desert Orchid and the winner of the Haldon Gold Cup, is also running for Joe Tizzard and Freddie Gingell.

Richard Hobson’s Fugitif, winner of the December Gold Cup at the track, is set to be ridden by Gavin Sheehan as Dan Skelton’s Nube Negra completes the field.

Patrick Mullins is confident the unbeaten Lossiemouth is “fairly ready to rock” ahead of her seasonal reappearance in the Unibet Hurdle at Cheltenham on Saturday.

The five-year-old was the outstanding performer in the juvenile division last season, winning four of her five starts including the Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

Lossiemouth is already a hot favourite to double her Festival tally in the Mares’ Hurdle come March and trainer Willie Mullins has purposely delayed her comeback until this weekend to ensure there is plenty of petrol left in the tank for the spring.

“With last year’s juveniles, they had busy seasons, so Willie was keen to work towards a spring campaign with them and not over-race them,” said Patrick Mullins, assistant to his father.

“Lossiemouth has been in full training all season, so while there will be small improvement there, she has plenty of graft under her belt and is fairly ready to rock.”

Mullins acknowledges Lossiemouth’s task is far from straightforward, with another top-class mare taking her on in the form of Harry Fry’s Love Envoi.

The latter was second to the brilliant Honeysuckle in the Mares’ Hurdle last season and finished second in the rearranged Fighting Fifth at Sandown on her reappearance last month.

It promises to be an informative afternoon on the Mares’ Hurdle front, with two of Lossiemouth’s stablemates, Ashroe Diamond and Gala Marceau, locking horns at Doncaster.

Mullins added: “It’s funny that the first two in the betting at Cheltenham are two mares on a day that there’s a good mares’ race (at Doncaster) as well, so I think that’s a sign of how well the mares’ programme is working.

“Love Envoi obviously sets the standard having run Honeysuckle close last year, so it will be fascinating to see where we measure up, stepping out of juvenile company.

“It’s always a tricky year from four to five so this is a big test, but it will let us know where we stand for March.”

Love Envoi’s original target was a £100,000 conditions event on the opening day of Lingfield’s Winter Million Festival last Friday, but the abandonment of that card forced a change of direction.

“We had planned to run at Lingfield over two and a half miles, but sadly we lost that and fortunately this is only a week later and a very good prize,” said Fry.

“It’s a good job this race is there in its new spot in the calendar from our point of view, because I don’t know what I would have done otherwise.

“It’s over two miles and she won over this course and distance when winning the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle two seasons ago. She should have slow underfoot conditions and we’re hoping to see her take a big step up from her reappearance at Sandown, where she looked ring-rusty.

“She has definitely looked sharper in her work at home and in her schooling, so hopefully that will translate to what we see on the racecourse on Saturday.”

The five-strong field is headed by the Paul Nicholls-trained Rubaud, who won a Listed prize at Kempton and the Elite Hurdle at Wincanton on his first two starts of the season before predictably being outclassed by the magnificent Constitution Hill in the Christmas Hurdle on Boxing Day.

Nicholls told Betfair: “Rubaud is a gorgeous horse who keeps improving and won four on the bounce before he was put in his place by Constitution Hill at Kempton over Christmas. He still kept on well to finish second that day and is in calmer waters now.

“Rubaud has to give weight to all his rivals and the drier the ground, the better he will run, though he is slightly better racing right-handed.”

Nicky Henderson’s First Street and the long-absent Guard Your Dreams from the Nigel Twiston-Davies stable complete the quintet.

Jeriko Du Reponet has the chance to lay down a marker for the Cheltenham Festival when he lines-up in the rearranged SBK Supreme Trial Rossington Main Novices’ Hurdle at Doncaster on Saturday.

Nicky Henderson’s unbeaten prospect is disputing favouritism with Willie Mullins’ Mystical Power for the opening Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the Festival, but was not in the original field for this race when it was due to be run at Haydock last weekend.

Haydock’s abandonment has led to Town Moor’s gain as Henderson has abandoned plans to run in the Sidney Banks at Huntingdon to head to South Yorkshire and owner JP McManus’ retained rider in Ireland Mark Walsh makes a rare trip to partner the exciting five-year-old, who has won both starts under rules with ease.

“Nicky was happy to go up there with him and he’s in good form,” said McManus’ racing manager Frank Berry.

“We will see how he gets on and it’s another step up the ladder for him.

“He’s done everything right up to now, so let’s hope for more of the same. Nicky has been very happy with him and we hope he gets a good round of jumping in.”

Five go to post with Ben Pauling’s Fiercely Proud and Sam Thomas’ Lump Sum also arriving at Doncaster unbeaten over obstacles, while Nicky Richards’ The Kalooki Kid has won his last two and will carry northern hopes.

There is further Grade Two action with the Albert Bartlett River Don Novices’ Hurdle, in which Paul Nicholls’ Welcom To Cartries will attempt to go one better than stablemate Stay Away Fay, who finished second in the race 12 months ago.

Stay Away Fay went on to score at the Cheltenham Festival and having got off the mark in style at Ascot last month, hopes are high Welcom To Cartries will take all the beating as he steps up to three miles.

“He won his only point-to-point and has shown plenty of promise in his first two starts for us over hurdles at Ascot,” the champion trainer told Betfair.

“The experience he gained when narrowly beaten on his hurdles debut was put to good use as he won handsomely next time just before Christmas. He worked stylishly on Thursday morning, will relish the step up to three miles and has a chance in a tough race.”

Kim Bailey’s Destroytheevidence missed out on a hat-trick when second to Shanagh Bob at Cheltenham, while Lucinda Russell’s Esprit Du Potier and Stuart Crawford’s Irish raider I Love My Baie both got on the scoresheet at Ayr in their most recent outings and bring strong form to the table.

Gordon Elliott saw Wodhooh maintain her unbeaten record over hurdles at Newbury in December and now sends the four-year-old on another raiding mission in the Listed SBK Fillies’ Juvenile Hurdle.

It was a race won by Joseph O’Brien two years ago and he is another Irishman with a strong hand in the race, saddling eye-catching Fairyhouse third Green Sky for owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede.

Barry Connell “couldn’t be happier” with Marine Nationale ahead of the Goffs Irish Arkle next weekend.

Last season’s Supreme Novices’ Hurdle winner has only been seen once this campaign but that was when he made a seamless switch to fences at Leopardstown over Christmas.

The Irish Arkle has been the aim since, with the perfect gap to the Cheltenham Festival.

“All is 100 per cent, I couldn’t be happier,” said Connell.

“To have a horse that had so much ability over hurdles to take to chasing so well is very exciting indeed.

“All roads lead to Leopardstown now. It’s coming to crunch time, once the Dublin Racing Festival is over and the Cheltenham previews start it will ramp up and soon be here.

“His preparation has been very straightforward and we are happy with where he is and we’re really looking forward to it.”

Connell had two Grade One-winning novice hurdlers last season but the fortunes of Good Land could not be more different.

He suffered a tendon injury in October which required a full year on the sidelines.

“Good Land is doing well. He did a tendon and the time frame on that is about 12 months,” said Connell.

“His treatment will be finished by May and then he’ll go out for the summer at grass, hopefully when he comes back in we’ll be able to train him for a novice chase campaign.

“At least he managed to win his Grade One last year, a lot of good horses get an injury before they manage to do that and fulfil any of their potential, so that’s the other way of looking at it.”

Connell also has high hopes for recent Navan bumper winner William Munny who downed Willie Mullins’ well-touted C’est Ta Chance with the pair 12 lengths clear of the rest.

“We always thought he was up to winning a bumper but in the run up to Cheltenham, the big yards are all trying to get qualified so it takes an exceptional horse to win one,” said Connell.

“We’ve given him a lot of time, he’s six now, and I think there could be plenty more to come from him.

“If you took out the other horse, our horse was a wide-margin winner and would probably be favourite for the Cheltenham bumper.

“We’ll probably give him one more run in a winner’s bumper this year and go novice hurdling next year. The DRF would come too soon. There’s one at Naas we could look at.”

Noble Yeats will take on the challenge of Cheltenham’s McCoy Contractors Cleeve Hurdle as he plots his way back to the Grand National in the spring.

Emmet Mullins’ 2022 Aintree hero had a plethora of high-quality assignments last term, but has only been seen once this winter, bumping into the improving Sa Majeste at Limerick over the Christmas period.

Remarkably, that was just Noble Yeats’ second run over the smaller obstacles and the nine-year-old now returns to a more suitable distance with Harry Cobden deputising for usual pilot, the injured Sean Bowen.

“It’s a classic Emmet Mullins move to say ‘let’s see how we get on over hurdles’ and he needs a couple of outings so we can get him in first-class order for the Grand National,” said owner Robert Waley-Cohen.

“This is the route we are taking at the moment and we will be able to plot our course depending on what we learn.

“I don’t think Limerick on heavy was his idea of an ideal day out on course and I think he will find the better going and track at Cheltenham more to his advantage. I think the horse who beat him at Limerick was a pretty nice horse on the substantial upgrade.

“It was only his second hurdle race and this will be his third, which is slightly weird for a horse that has won the Grand National. We will learn a lot on Saturday.

“Harry Cobden is booked because he hasn’t got a ride otherwise and poor Sean Bowen is off games. Sean is top of the current championship list and Harry is number two and is a first-class rider.”

There is a quality field of seven heading to post, with Emma Lavelle’s Paisley Park bidding for a record fourth success in the Grade Two event.

The 12-year-old has proven age is no barrier this season, going down on his shield in both Newbury’s Long Distance Hurdle and the Grade One Long Walk at Ascot last month, and his handler believes he deserves to taste victory for the 12th time in his decorated career.

Lavelle said: “Touch wood, he seems good and everything has gone to plan (since Ascot). Hopefully he brings his A game with him.

“He seems in very good order and has run two super races this season – hopefully he can keep that going.

“He is just extraordinary in how he keeps turning up and it’s exciting to think we are still in the position to be running in these races with him.

“I think he deserves a win at this stage of the season, but it is a good race and we will give it our best shot.”

Paisley Park’s winning run in this race was ended by French raider Gold Tweet 12 months ago, with Jeremy Scott’s admirable veteran Dashel Drasher picking up the silver medal.

The 11-year-old would go on to fill the same spot behind Sire Du Berlais in the Stayers’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and has again proven his quality this term, holding off Paisley Park at Newbury before running valiantly to finish third at Ascot last time.

Nicky Henderson’s Champ is another at the twilight of his career and was not disgraced when fourth behind his fellow veterans in the Long Walk.

“First time back he ran fresh, but he ran a good race and kept staying on and Nicky is hoping he has come on for the run,” said Frank Berry, racing manager to owner JP McManus.

“He’s been a brilliant horse over the years and it’s nice to see him being so competitive in these races at his age.”

Gary Moore’s West Yorkshire Hurdle hero Botox Has finished sixth at Ascot prior to Christmas and will now sport a first-time visor as he searches to rediscover his Wetherby form, while Olly Murphy’s Strong Leader tries three miles for the first time having brought up the rear here in the Relkeel Hurdle.

The field is rounded off by Deborah Cole’s bargain buy Flight Deck, who was not far off the protagonists in third at Newbury in November and has been given a break since.

James Owen’s Burdett Road will look to consolidate his place at the head of the Triumph Hurdle market when he contests the JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle at Cheltenham on Saturday.

The four-year-old, a Royal Ascot winner last June, has made the perfect start to his hurdling career.

After winning his debut at Huntingdon by 12 lengths, he then claimed a similar contest to this by an easy six and a half lengths.

The form from that race has since been boosted by the subsequent success of the second-placed An Bradan Feasa, a comfortable winner when returning to Cheltenham in December.

Harry Cobden has ridden Burdett Road in both hurdling starts and will do so again at the weekend after partnering the gelding in a pleasing schooling session at home.

“We couldn’t be happier with him at home and he has schooled well. Harry was in on Thursday morning and schooled him and he did well and we’re looking forward to Saturday,” said Owen.

“This is a much tougher race (than before), there’s Sir Gino and we’ve got to give weight to the (JP) McManus horse that comes over from France (Milan Tino) and might improve. This is a lot tougher and should shed a lot of light on the Triumph Hurdle, it’s a trial and it should do.

“Hopefully we’re still favourite for the Triumph at 10 past 12 on Saturday.”

On choosing this race ahead of the Unibet Hurdle, the trainer added: “We made the decision just before declarations and if Harry was available in the Unibet, we were actually swaying that way with the allowances. But Harry was riding for Paul Nicholls in that, so it just made sense to stick amongst the juveniles where Harry was available.”

Nicky Henderson’s Sir Gino is also unbeaten over hurdles, with a French Listed success followed up by a 14-length Kempton win on his British debut in late December.

“His jumping was far from perfect at Kempton, so he’s had plenty of practice in that department and is a person we like a lot,” said Henderson via his Unibet blog.

“This is a competitive race and Burdett Road has looked very good, therefore I should imagine whoever wins will likely be favourite for the Triumph.

“Sir Gino’s work has been very good, and he would be right up there with some of our previous good juveniles we’ve had down the years.”

Noel George and Amanda Zetterholm’s Milan Tino was third behind Burdett Road at Prestbury Park in November and will receive 5lb from the two aforementioned horses when he takes his chance under Jonjo O’Neill jr.

Harry Fry’s Gidleigh Park heads the market for the SSS Super Alloys Novices’ Hurdle, a Grade Two event run over two miles and four and a half furlongs.

Unbeaten in three under rules, his latest win was a nine-length Newbury triumph, his first attempt at a two-and-a-half-mile trip and a performance that inspired a step up in grade.

“We couldn’t have asked for any more than what he has done up until this point,” said Fry.

“We stepped him up in trip the last day and he showed improved form and now we are stepping up in grade, so he will have to progress again.

“We feel he is doing that at home and is maturing and progressing with his racing. It’s his first run at the track, but I don’t anticipate that giving him any problems and I’m hoping he can continue to progress as he has done so far and keep the dream alive.”

Jonjo O’Neill’s Johnnywho is a key rival, a McManus-owned gelding who was last seen finishing fourth when beaten two lengths in the Grade One Challow at Newbury.

“He’s come out of the Challow well and Jonjo was happy with him and hopefully he can come forward again and run a nice race,” said Frank Berry, racing manager to McManus.

“He looks a nice staying horse and hopefully there is more to come.”

Paul Nicholls runs Isaac Des Obeaux, a six-year-old from the family of Clan Des Obeaux who won his last two outings at Chepstow by decent margins.

“He is taking on stronger opposition after bolting up twice in ordinary races at Chepstow,” the trainer said via Betfair.

“Positive tactics seem to suit Isaac Des Obeaux who stays well, is a decent prospect and should run another tidy race. He will be a lovely chaser in time.”

There is a valuable handicap over fences in the Paddy Power Cheltenham Countdown Podcast Handicap Chase, with Nicholls set to saddle two short-priced contenders in Hitman and Il Ridoto.

The latter was narrowly beaten in the December Gold Cup over course and distance last time out and is the reigning champion in the contest having prevailed by a length 12 months ago.

“He seems to reserve his best for Cheltenham and won this race a year ago off a mark of 138,” the trainer said.

“He is now 10lb higher after a career best when he was just beaten in the last stride by Fugitif in the December Gold Cup after looking like the winner landing over the last fence with a clear lead.

“Il Ridoto has been working beautifully at home, looks great and must have a strong chance.”

Hitman is the other runner, a horse Nicholls is hoping will improve for a wind operation.

He said: “We cauterised his palate after he ran below-par at Aintree late in October.

“He is in great shape now at home and if he runs like he did in the Ryanair Chase in March (third), he must have a live chance off a mark of 156 with Freddie Gingell taking off a valuable 5lb, but I have a feeling he might just improve a bit for the run.”

Patrick Neville is optimistic The Real Whacker can re-establish his Gold Cup claims in the Paddy Power Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham on Saturday.

The eight-year-old won each of his three starts over fences at Prestbury Park last season, completing his hat-trick with a thrilling victory over Gerri Colombe in the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at the Festival in March.

As a result The Real Whacker headed into the new campaign as one of Britain’s leading Gold Cup contenders – and while he has not troubled the judge in two starts so far this term, Neville believes he can show his true worth this weekend.

“He’s all ready to go and we’re looking forward to it,” he said.

“We’ve had a great run with him. He came out of the King George fresh and well and we’re very happy.

“I’m hoping the ground dries out a little bit, but it is what it is.”

The Real Whacker was pulled up on his reappearance in Cheltenham’s Paddy Power Gold Cup in November before making late gains to finish fourth in the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day.

Neville’s stable star is now as big as 66-1 for the blue riband, but the North Yorkshire-based Irishman is not giving up on his Gold Cup dream.

He added: “I wouldn’t take any notice of his first run (of the season), it was only a starting point for him really. It probably wasn’t the proper race to run him in, but we had to start somewhere.

“We were happy enough with the run in the King George and happy with how he came out of the race, so we’re hoping for a big run on Saturday.

“He is better on better ground, but we couldn’t be happier with him and he’d want to be showing up well there on Saturday and giving a good account of himself (to go for the Gold Cup). I think he will.

“We’ve had a clear run with him, so I’d be happy there’s no ifs or buts with him.”

The Real Whacker’s rivals include the Venetia Williams-trained Betfair Chase hero Royale Pagaille, rerouted here following the abandonment of last week’s Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock, while star novice Stay Away Fay bids to give trainer Paul Nicholls a sixth Cotswold Chase success.

The latter has plenty to find on ratings following just two chase starts so far, but the Ditcheat handler is rarely averse to a challenge.

He told Betfair: “He won the Albert Bartlett with a brilliant performance at this track in March and I’ve been thrilled with his progress as a chaser this season.

“He has taken really well to fences, winning both times and is a strong stayer who will gallop all day.

“He is schooling smartly, looks fab and worked great on Thursday morning, but I appreciate that he is in at in the deep end in this and has it all to do. I’d rather run him this weekend than wait three weeks for Ascot (Reynoldstown Novices’ Chase), which is a bit close to Cheltenham.”

Last year’s winner Ahoy Senor is back to defend his crown, but has a bit to prove having been pulled up on each of his two starts so far this term.

Jamie Snowden’s Datsalrightgino, on the other hand, lines up off the back of a career-best performance when landing last month’s Coral Gold Cup at Newbury under an inspired Gavin Sheehan.

“We thought we would try going up in trip in a big race like the Coral Gold Cup and thankfully it all paid off,” said Snowden.

“This was a race that I earmarked after Newbury. He has got to step forward again coming out of handicap company as he won the Coral Gold Cup off 148, so this is a different kettle of fish.

“Off a mark of 159, it does make life tough in handicaps. If we are not up to Gold Cup class then we will probably have to look at decent handicaps, which could include the Grand National.”

The Willie Mullins-trained Capodanno, last seen finishing a distant third behind Gold Cup-winning stablemate Galopin Des Champs in Leopardstown’s Savills Chase, completes the field.

Patrick Mullins, assistant to his father, said: “It’s a very competitive race, but Capodanno ran a cracker at Christmas behind Galopin Des Champs.

“Last season he just got held up a few times, but he was a Grade One novice chaser and we thought rather than banging heads with Galopin Des Champs again (in next weekend’s Irish Gold Cup) and maybe Fastorslow, this race might be a cleverer choice.”

The British Horseracing Authority has apologised after a mistake was made in allotting a weight to Lossiemouth in Saturday’s Unibet Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Last year’s Triumph Hurdle winner is due to make her seasonal debut in the Grade Two contest and was originally given a weight of 11st 3lb, including her 7lb mares allowance.

However, the BHA confirmed on Friday that the five-year-old should actually carry 11st, with an error seemingly made in the application of a Grade One penalty.

The race conditions state a 6lb penalty is incurred for a Grade One win since September 30, 2022, but that is halved if the victory came in novice or juvenile company.

A BHA spokesperson said: “Due to an error at the weights stage, we can confirm an incorrect penalty was added to Lossiemouth in the 3.00 at Cheltenham tomorrow. A weight amendment has been published and she will now carry 11st. We apologise to anyone affected by this error.”

Owners Andrew and Gemma Brown, whose horses run under the Caldwell Construction banner, have cited the recent sad losses of young horses as the reason for their shock exit from the sport.

Their red and white silks were becoming an increasing familiar sight on Irish racecourses, with all trained by Gordon Elliott.

They enjoyed their first Cheltenham Festival win last March when Jazzy Matty was successful in the Boodles Juvenile Hurdle and have tasted Grade One success this season with Caldwell Potter.

He is a full-brother to the ill-fated Mighty Potter, but will be one of 29 horses up for grabs at their dispersal sale which will take place at Tattersalls Ireland early next month.

Other notable runners in the red and white colours this season include Fil Dor, Imagine and Sa Fureur, while Cesarewitch second Pied Piper is another leading light.

Writing on X, formerly known as Twitter, a statement on the Caldwell Construction Horse Racing account read:

“Further to the sad loss of one of our young horses D B Cooper again as a family we are absolutely heartbroken. Also we lost Smooth Player only just two weeks ago. Having a young family it’s hard to cope with such losses and therefore we feel it is time for a break from the sport.

“We would also like to thank Gordon and his team for their hard work and support the last few years and wish them all the best.”