Inglis Drever provided evidence of its continued wellbeing with an easy victory in Gd2 Pertemps Novices' Hurdle at Warwick, Jan 10. The early pace was not great but the winner was not troubled to go past Eric's Charm with contemptuous ease. There has been talk of contesting the Champion Hurdle. It could well be good enough to at least make the frame if the going came up soft. Connections have decided to go for the Sun Alliance Novices' which at this stage, in early February promises to be a far stronger race than the 2m Supreme and one of the mor eagerly awaited contests.

As a full brother to Best Mate expectations were always going to be high with repsect to Cornish Rebel. At this early stage in its career, connections should be more than pleased with the progress achieved. A dramatic win in a National Hunt Flat at Newbury last season was followed by a somewhat disappointing effort in the Cheltenham Bumper. An easy win in an ordinary novice at Chepstow was been followed by a gutsy win in the Gd1 Stan James Challow Hurdle. Grey Report made the running at a fair pace until headed briefly by Control Man around halfway. Grey Report was soon back in front leading till three out. Here both it and Control Man were tackled and headed by Big Moment and Cornish Rebel who quickly surged clear. They came to the last with all to play for, here Cornish Rebel made a slight mistake and it looked as if Big Moment was going to secure the prize. Despite showing signs of greenness, Ruby Walsh managed to get Cornish Rebel up close home to win going away. The ground at Newbury was just on the slow side of good. The impression gained was that for Cornish Rebel to win again in decent company over this trip, slower ground will be required. Simply because it looks ready for three miles all ready. Paul Nicholls has since indicated that his potential star will not run at the Festival unless there is give in the ground. No doubt that its attentions will be turned to chasing next season where expectations will be even higher. The probability is that fast ground Felthams will be off the agenda. The signs are that the exciting prospect will be raced as sparingly as his illustrious brother. With half brother Inexorable winning in graded company this season, looking an out and stayer in the process. I would be interested in seeing whether a future member of this family is kept entire. If this is still possible of course. Going back to the Challow, runner-up Big Moment seems to have been refreshed by a hurdling career. It is much more of an experienced pro. Therefore it is hard to envisage it reversing form with the winner in future without some good fortune.

Big Moment ran below its best when coming home only third in the Gd2 Tote National Spirt Hurdle, Fontwell, Feb 22. It was running against much more experienced rivals, the track may have been sharp enough and Cheltenham was over three weeks away, in any case.

Diamant Noir won the Skybet Gd2 River Don Novice at Doncaster, Jan 31, so easily it is hard to believe it actually happened. It would seem that the mare is best on testing ground, the further the better. As there are not many opportunities for mares over 3m it will interesting to see where she goes from here.

Former useful flat performer, Breknen Le Noir took advantage of a lenient mark and testing ground to make all and win a handicap at Ascot, Jan 31, easily. Having taken this route the probability is that connections will have another crack at a handicap before looking at looking elsewhere. At the same meeting, Dictum improved up on its hurdles debut to easily win the novice in the style of a decent horse. It can improve upon this further if its flat ability is anything to go by and should be considered a serious contender for the Supreme Novices come March. A poor effort in a slowly run race has seen its sights lowered for the County Hurdle. The chance there depends on the handicapper.

Garde Champetre, who had run up behind Lingo in the Tolworth, improved on that effort at the same track, with a brave second to Champion Hurdle hope Rhinestone Cowboy in the Agfa on Feb 7. As its pedigree sugests soft ground seems to suit best. On the same card Alexanderthegreat showed marked improvement to finish a respectable third to Baracouda in a Gd3 Handicap from 27lb out of the handicap. Another Paul Nicholls inmate, Tragic Ohio ran right away from its rivals for a 24 length success at Hereford, Feb 6. Once again soft ground seems best. A step up in trip may see further improvement.

Brave Inca overhauled Newmill on the run in to win the Gd1 Deloitte Novice at Leopardstown, Feb 8. A ragged start and a moderate early pace means that the form could be misleading, however, Brave Inca came from behind to win when it was not really entitled to catch Newmill under the circumstances. As I said when it won last time this is a decent horse to win slowish races as it does. Would have to pencil in a minimum of 148. Watson Lake, who gave the whole field a start was not beaten to get a place. Connections later reported that their charge had suffered from a trapped epiglottis. A minor operation and a week's rest was necessary. Which should not affect the plans for Cheltenham.

Newmill picked up a Gd2 against useful opposition in the Betfair.com Johnstown Novice at Naas, Feb 22. The second Inexorable, a half brother to Best Mate, has a looked a promising stayer. On the drying ground here it was made to look one paced. No doubt that it will be racing over three miles next time.