Twiston-Davies sends strong team as the jumps steps up a gear

Thistlecrack has stayed at home but even without the dream draw Chepstow has still pulled in some excellent attractions as the track stages the first half of a weekend card that further kickstarts the core jumps season.

This meeting has for years heralded the start of something special for jumps fans and traditionally attracted BBC television coverage in the era of Grandstand.

Now expanded to two days, it includes the £50,000 Totepool Silver Trophy, in which the Grade 1 Sefton Novices' Hurdle winner Ballyoptic begins his campaign.