CHEPSTOW

THE new National Hunt season stepped up a gear at Chepstow on Saturday when Nigel Twiston-Davies’ Ballyoptic won the Grade 3 totepool Silver Trophy Handicap Hurdle. The stable is always strong in October and Ballyoptic was ridden clear by Ryan Hatch to hold Crimson Ark by just over a length.

“He’s very exciting and that showed he wants three miles,’’ Twiston-Davies observed. “We’ll aim for the World Hurdle.’’

It was good to see Barry Geraghty back in action after breaking an arm and he initiated a double for trainer Rebecca Curtis by winning the opening novices’ hurdle on J. P. McManus’ 5/1 chance Geordie Des Champs. The yard is clearly in cracking form with Jonathan Moore having settled in well. The youngster followed-up on long-term Aintree prospect Potters Choice, 12/1, in the near three-mile handicap chase.

FOUR FOR NICHOLLS

Jonathan Moore was again successful at the track on Sunday when Curtis’ Definite Outcome proved just too good for stable-companion Aurillac in the novices’ chase.

Paul Nicholls took the meeting by storm, winning with Dolos, Art Mauresque, El Bandit and Coastal Tiep, the accumulator paying around 444/1. The highlight was El Bandit’s 13/2 triumph under Sean Bowen in the valuable Grade 2 totepool Persian War Novices’ Hurdle but a low point came earlier when Sam Twiston-Davies fell on Dr Richard Newland’s One More Go. The jockey damaged his spleen and may be out for several weeks.

There were clear signs of what may well lie ahead when James Nash sent out My Manekineko to finish second and Your Busy third - the latter at 33/1 under Moore - in their respective races. The amateur rider turned Curragh trainer is a force to be reckoned with.

Frankel again

DAVID O’Meara’s Intisaab ended a frustrating run in competitive handicaps when just outpointing Lexington Abbey in the valuable Coral Sprint at York on Saturday.

Meanwhile, the Frankel success story goes on and on, with John Gosden’s Monarchs Glen cruising up at Goodwood on Sunday. He may well take high rank next year.