Exciting prospects in spotlight before main ITV coverage begins

The Ryman Novices' Chase (12.45 RUK) over 2m4½f is usually won by a smart performer, including Exotic Dancer, Don't Push It and Tidal Bay in the middle of the last decade.

More recently Oscar Whisky and Whisper have scored for Nicky Henderson, whose Ok Corral makes his chasing debut here, having found only Kilbricken Storm too good in last season's Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle at the festival.

Henderson is also represented by Jenkins, who may not have scaled those heights over hurdles but has made a good start to his chasing career, winning on his reappearance at Stratford and losing out by only a length in a blanket finish here last month.

JP McManus, Barry Geraghty and Nicky Henderson with Ok Corral at Kempton in FebruaryCredit: Edward Whitaker

Henderson said: "Jenkins is a good horse who has been running consistently well. Ok Corral is another very smart horse and it would be hard for me to split them. They each have their own way of doing the job."

Rebecca Curtis has been pleasantly surprised by the progress made by Drovers Lane, who boasts two wins over fences and was travelling well when a mistake put him out of contention at Aintree two starts ago.

"He's a funny horse but he seems to keep improving all the time," said Curtis. "I think we’ll learn a lot more about him here. He couldn’t have done it any easier the twice he’s won, so hopefully he can keep improving."

Colin Tizzard has never hidden his regard for The Russian Doyen, who made a successful start to his chasing career at Exeter when scoring by five lengths from I'm A Game Changer.

Tizzard said: "He's come through the ranks and this is the next step up. It’s not all about tomorrow because in the future he's going to make a lovely staying chaser but this is the next rung and we’re looking for a nice clear round."

King takes aim at Triumph Trial with Fret D'Estruval

Alan King has spread his juvenile resources and, while Cracker Factory and Elysees have been sent to Doncaster on a Grade 2 mission, Fret D'Estruval makes his debut for the yard in the JCB Triumph Trial (12.10 RUK) in the colours of Simon Munir and Isaac Souede.

Having slipped up on the flat in his only AQPS bumper, when trained by Guillaume Macaire, the son of No Risk At All jumped well in two hurdle successes at Vittel and Lyon.

Alan King on the gallops at Barbury CastleCredit: Hugh Routledge

"He won his last two in France and, while we're not sure of the strength of the form, we've been happy with him and he's definitely ready to start," said King.

The Dan Skelton-trained Protektorat is another making his British debut after finishing second on his only start at Auteuil, although the winner did little for the form when fourth at Pau this month.

Fanfan Du Seuil hails from the same French nursery as 2016 winner Defi Du Seuil – both were bred by top Flat jockey Pierre-Charles Boudot's mother, Catherine – and made quick amends for a fall on his British bow when scoring by five lengths at Exeter last month.

Tom George said: "He was a bit unfortunate first time at Chepstow when the whole thing just caught him out but he put all that behind him at Exeter and won well, so we’re ready to step him up in grade."

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