START DE YEAR THE BEST WAY!

One who will love to hear his hooves rattle is JASMIN DE GRUGY, who can be forgiven a modest effort in the Rehearsal Chase on his return.

- BY RORY DELARGY

Prior to finishing third at Newbury in March, Jasmin du Grugy had won five on the spin on good and yielding ground, including a defeat of subsequent Eider Chase winner on his steeplechase bow at Southwell 13 months ago.

He's continued his improvement since then, and was beaten only by Bill Baxter at Punchestown in May before a summer holiday.

Given his profile and age, I envisage him progressing further and Anthony Honeyball (below) remains in form with five winners from 31 runners last month also masking the fact that a further five of his runners have been beaten in photographs.

in a battle for the lead which would play to the strengths of those ridden with more patience.

IL RIDOTO can also race on the pace but I would expect him to take a lead here and he's now dropped to a mark he can do some damage off.

He's a talented handicapper but often finds marks in the mid-140s beyond him, but he's often gone well over track and trip.