L'Eau Du Sud still holds sway in the novice chase division but Cheltenham and Fairyhouse winners put down serious markers

Cheltenham served up an early festive treat across Friday and Saturday, with the December Gold Cup taking centre stage and the progressive Gemirande achieving a career-best Racing Post Rating of 152 in coming out on top.

For all that he has more to offer and it was a good race, that mark falls a little below the level of some previous winners and he will need to continue his upward trajectory to have a say at the festival in March.

This is the time of year when we find out much more about the novice chase division, and over the past couple of weeks we have seen plenty to get excited about.