Dave's Dream returns in exciting novice chase.

2.10 Huntingdon Kier Eastern Novices' Chase 2m1/2f RUK Card page 27 jjKey stat Henry Daly has a 56 per cent strike-rate in novice chases at Huntingdon over the past four seasons 3.00 Wincanton Bathwick Tyres Handicap Chase 3m31/2f RUK Card page 35 jjKey stat Timmy Murphy has a 67 per cent strike rate when riding for Ron Hodges this season 6.00 Kempton Boxingdayraces.co.uk Handicap 6f RUK Card page 39 jjKey stat John Balding has a levelstakes profit of pounds 18 in three-year-old handicaps at Kempton this season DAVE'S DREAM, winner of last season's Imperial Cup at Sandown, makes his chasing debut in a race involving Numide and Micheal Flips, both top-class hurdlers who also have their first runs over fences.

The Nicky Henderson-trained Dave's Dream, a general 25-1 chance for the Irish Independent Arkle, has reportedly schooled well ahead of his seasonal reappearance but he will have to contend with the Gary Moore-trained Numide, winner of the Grade 3 Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham last season, and Micheal Flips, who was rated as high as 139 over hurdles.

Also in the line-up is Matuhi, who has to carry a penalty after his success at Ludlow in October, and My Moment, having his first outing over fences for trainer Henry Daly.

James Pugh jjWhat they say Ben De Haan, trainer of Matuhi "He's in great form. He has a bit to prove with a 6lb penalty, but he seems well. Numide beat him over hurdles but I'm hoping he will make a better chaser than a hurdler. He's been running over further on faster ground, so the drop down in trip on easier ground shouldn't be a problem, although the novice chases at this time of year are competitive."

Nicky Henderson, trainer of Dave's Dream "He's done well over the summer and is ready to run. It looks a good race but we have to start somewhere. He'll get further in time but we have to start off here as he's not short of pace. He's schooled great."

Andrew Turnell, trainer of Micheal Flips "He came out of his last race very well. He jumps pretty well on the whole - he's a bit careful but I'm happy with him. I may put him back over two and half miles in time."

Henry Daly, trainer of My Moment "It's a hot race but Huntingdon is as good a place as any to start him off. He has schooled fine. He wouldn't want it too soft but, as it is, he should be fine." Gary Moore, trainer of Numide "He's in great form and hopefully he has come on from his run at Kempton on the Flat, but he will need to, as it looks a tough race. He's very good over his fences but we could do with some more rain. The track and trip will suit."

Michael Chapman, trainer of Vogarth "He's taken to jumping fences very well. He wouldn't like the ground too soft and it is a hot race."

jjWhat they say Simon Burrough, trainer of Deep Quest "He had a chip in his knee last time he ran over a year ago. He seems in good form and has schooled well. The main thing is that he jumps well and comes back in one piece. It's the first time I've run him away from Exeter but he's versatile regarding trip and course and goes on any ground. He has won off top weight before."

Colin Tizzard, trainer of Triggernometry and Classic Clover "Triggernometry would probably improve a bit for his run last time. A lot of his best form is round Wincanton, and they are both almost specialists at the track, that's why they are running together. Classic Clover never used to handle soft ground but he seemed fine on it at Taunton last time. Two miles seven furlongs around there would be plenty sharp enough for him but three miles three furlongs here is a different ball game. He's been consistent all year and ran well from out the handicap two runs ago."

Charlie Mann, trainer of Tarquinius "He had a wind operation last year and has come on a lot for that. He jumps well, wants the trip, and loves soft ground, so it's the right race for him. He's only young and could be well handicapped."

Giles Smyly, trainer of Plum Pudding "I was delighted with his comeback run, he probably ran better than the bare form showed. I think he'll come on a substantial amount and I'm quite hopeful. He's a bigger, stronger horse this year and he's off a reasonable mark. He's probably a little bit better going right-handed and he wants it soft - not heavy - which he should get. His two best runs were with Ed [Cookson] on board and he takes 7lb off which will help."

Nick Mitchell, trainer of Newbay Bob "We hope he'll be straight enough for his first run. Three of our four runners have been first time out so, hopefully, he'll be fit enough. He ran well over an inadequate two miles six at the course, so he'll like the track and the ground. Robbie [Henderson] knows him well and takes off a vaulable 7lb."

Julian Smith, trainer of Fine By Me "He was running well in the race last year when he came down and he runs well over these trips. He has the cheekpieces back on, as we want him to lay up a bit closer to the pace, and he's won in them before. He''s pretty fit now and should run well, as long as there's not a lot of rain." Tony Martin, trainer of Fakima "He stays really well and likes good ground - that's why we''re coming over, as he should get better ground than he'd get in Ireland."

Ron Hodges, trainer of Treasulier "He'll hopefully come on quite a lot for his run last time. He had quite a lot of weight on that start and he's not the biggest, so he should be better off carrying a light weight. He seems well and runs well at Wincanton."

jjWhat they say Walter Swinburn, trainer of Shifting Star "He's fresh and well and I'm glad to get him back on the track."

John Quinn, trainer of Fantasy Explorer "He'll run well. He's in good nick, ran well the other day, and seems to go well on the all-weather."

Roger Fisher, trainer of Beckermet "He's run on the all-weather in Dubai and he's in good form. He's got a nightmare draw [stall one] and we'll just have to leave it to Neil [Callan] to sort out, but the horse has plenty of toe to get across." Jamie Osborne, trainer of Beat The Bell "I don't know what happened last time. Going seven furlongs, we thought we'd hang on to him, but he never really fired. I'm hoping six furlongs and allowing him to run up with the pace will be better. The draw will help him come forward and he seems in good heart."

Chris Wall, trainer of Sundae "I haven't seen the race, as I'm on holiday, but his last run was disappointing and he's run like that before. The blinkers are to see if it's to do with concentration and he's well handicapped enough to run well in any race he's in."

Derek Haydn Jones, trainer of Princess Valerina "She's missed the kick the last twice and the jury's out about her. The wide draw's a worry but she seems well in herself." Stuart Williams, trainer of Earlsmedic "The eyeshields are just to try and freshen him up. He's weighted up to his rating and has been thereabouts since winning early in the spring. We're just trying to get that extra length to get him past the post first."

Nicholls unveils bright prospect VICO makes his eagerly awaited hurdles debut at Wincanton this afternoon in the 2m6f novice event (1.00).

Owned by Mark Tincknell, the five-year-old was placed in the "could be anything" category by Paul Nicholls earlier in the season and was also put up by the champion trainer as his 'pigeon catcher' in his Racing Post column last Saturday.

"Vico is a nice Old Vic horse who won both his point-to-points for Richard Barber," the trainer said. "This is the ideal place to start him off."

Nicholls has a strong record in this race having sent out the winner six times in the last ten years, including four of the last five.

Past Nicholls-trained winners of the race include Graded-race scorers Valley Henry and Shotgun Willy, while former Gold Cup winner Denman was successful in 2005.

Vico is a general 33-1 shot for the Ballymore Properties Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March, a race that Nicholls has yet to win.

Peter Scargill

CAPTION(S):

Dave's Dream: Nicky Henderson's runner won last season's Imperial Cup at Sandown