Grade 1 winner returns and a smart Flat handicapper goes hurdling - three to note away from Cheltenham on New Year's Day

Tattersalls Ireland February Sale cover star Champ Kiely

Champ Kiely: Grade 1 winner returns from a 614-day absence at FairyhouseCredit: Patrick McCann

There are nine meetings in Britain and Ireland on a bumper New Year's Day's racing, with the headline action coming at Cheltenham. Here are three horses to note away from the main meeting . . .

Stressfree

1.55 Catterick: 1m7½f novices' hurdle

A winner of three of his 18 starts on the Flat, Stressfree will be trainer David O'Meara's first runner over jumps since March 2023.

The gelding holds an official rating of 93 on the level and has amassed just shy of £78,000 in prize-money.

He was last seen finishing seventh in the November Handicap at Doncaster when beaten three and three-quarter lengths under Jamie Spencer.

Among Stressfree's rivals on hurdling debut is Pigeon House. The Jennie Candlish runner took a handicap hurdle at the Punchestown festival in May when trained by Jessica Harrington and has finished second on both his starts for his new stable.

Stressfree13:55 Catterick

View Racecard

Jky: Henry Brooke Tnr: David O'Meara

Monty's Star

2.15 Tramore: 2m7f Grade 3 Chase

Up to 20mm of rain is forecast before Tramore's New Year's Day card and the likely testing conditions should suit Monty's Star, who was a classy novice chaser for Henry de Bromhead last season.

The son of Walk In The Park chased home Fact To File in the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival before bumping into another JP McManus star in Spillane's Tower at Punchestown.

He makes his seasonal debut in the feature on Tramore's card, which was won by dual Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Al Boum Photo in four consecutive years from 2019 to 2022.

Among Monty's Star's rivals is stablemate and 2021 Gold Cup winner Minella Indo, while Willie Mullins runs four including Classic Getaway, who was beaten at odds-on in this race last year.

Monty's Star14:15 Tramore

View Racecard

Jky: Rachael Blackmore Tnr: Henry De Bromhead

Champ Kiely

3.00 Fairyhouse: 2m5½f beginners' chase

Champ Kiely, winner of the Grade 1 Lawlor's of Naas Novice Hurdle in 2023, makes his eagerly awaited return in a beginners' chase at Fairyhouse on New Year's Day.

The Willie Mullins runner has not been seen since finishing third behind stablemate Impaire Et Passe in the Champion Novice Hurdle at the 2023 Punchestown festival.

Paul Townend takes the ride in a race Mullins has won in four of the last five years.

Champ Kiely's opposition includes O'Moore Park, who was in the process of running a big race when falling at the last over today's course and distance in November.