First shots fired - and I’m a few quid richer thanks to Evan’s revival skills

For all the joys brought by the late Charlie Hall and badgers frolicking in the West Country, the real shot and shell of the jumps season is first exchanged in true intensity at Cheltenham's November meeting, which opens the floodgates of the fabulous in the weeks to come.

We have a cracking afternoon ahead on Sunday spearheaded by the Greatwood Hurdle and then, like old mates barging in for a happy reunion, comes Saturday's Betfair Chase, with our old chums the Hennessy (now Ladbrokes Trophy) and Tingle Creek crowding in hot on Haydock's heels.

And Saturday's Paddy Power Gold Cup – this term's first mega betting handicap – was won, heart on sleeve with battle ensign flying, by the Evan Williams-trained Coole Cody, who jumped into the lead for Tom O'Brien with an impala's leap at the third and was subsequently never headed.