After a long summer for National Hunt fans, racing returns to Cheltenham for the two-day October Meeting.
Supporters of Jump racing have been starved of action from Prestbury Park for an unusually long time after their traditional April & May fixtures were cancelled as course officials renovated the drainage systems at the track.
A lack of rain has seen some courses struggle fulfill their fixtures over obstacles in recent weeks, but major efforts to keep up watering at Cheltenham means that the meeting is set to start on 'Good to Soft' ground.
Many of the races have attracted good entry numbers and we've picked out four horses who might be of significant interest for the season ahead...
Planters Punch
The introduction of National Hunt Junior Hurdles has provided British trainers with the opportunity to give their young horses experience over obstacles, while crucially maintaining their novice status for the following season.
Many have discussed Nicky Henderson's use of these races with 12/1 Supreme Novices' Hurdle antepost favourite Feel Gut; fewer mentioning Planters Punch.
The Planteur gelding won fairly low-key junior contests at Hereford, Bangor and Chepstow last season, but ultimately remained unbeaten in good style for Henderson.
There didn't appear to be too much in opposition on his last two starts, however, he did narrowly edge out 124-rated Aqua Blue on his first up and had subsequent winner Dakota Star nine-and-three-quarter-lengths behind him in third.
Henderson mentioned in a recent stable tour that decent ground might be important to him and conditions look set to be in his favour this week.
Mr Hollywood
Absurde and Poniros have both won at Cheltenham while switching between codes for Willie Mullins in recent seasons and Mr Hollywood could be next cab off the rank.
Almost seven, he's a fairly late starter than typical for an ex-Flat type for Mullins, but he does boast a fairly lofty rating of 108 on the level.
Beaten narrowly at Royal Ascot in the summer, he wasn't too far behind Caballo De Mar in the Prix du Cadran last time out and translated his ability to the National Hunt sphere fairly well when defeating Jeroboam Machin over hurdles at Galway in July.
Lisbane Park
There are often a whole host of progressive types started off in this contest and Lisbane Park looks to fit that bill perfectly ahead of his chasing debut this weekend.
Joe Tizzard's five-year-old picked up just one win from his five starts over hurdles last season; bumping into some formidable opponents in the process. He finished ahead of Pioneer Pete on debut (now rated 133), behind Scorpio Rising at Windsor (now 137) and behind Koktail Bleu at Newbury (now 126).
He has always promised more over fences and a mark of 120 surely underestimates his ability as he tackles larger obstacles for the very first time under rules.
Derryhassen Paddy
Go back 12 months and Derryhassen Paddy was being spoken about as a potential star over fences off the back of his excellent third in the 2025 Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle.
Unfortunately, his season was curtailed by injury after looking unfurnished on chase debut, but on reflection, the form doesn't look at all bad. Four-and-a-quarter-lengths in front of him was subsequent Scilly Isles Chase winner Sixmilebridge and trailing the same distance behind was the 133-rated Gamesters Guy.
A step back up above three miles will suit and connections will be hoping that he jumps with more fluency on his second start over the bigger obstacles.
