Early winter warmer as big names bid for Chepstow season-starter hat-tricks

You know winter is on its way when Chepstow’s traditional season opener is back on our screens, and the Silver Trophy takes centre stage on day two.

This is Wasdell Group’s third year of sponsoring the feature race and you would imagine Martin Tedham, chairman of the Swindon-based pharmaceutical service company, would rather like to win the near £40,000 first prize with Zabeel Champion.

Tedham, who sponsors Jonjo O’Neill’s Jackdaws Castle yard, looks to have leading claims with the promising five-year-old, who won a Challenger Series final when last seen over hurdles in April and should have more to offer this campaign.