KALKBRENNER (3.30) is fancied to be another Christmas cracker for his trainer and jockey in the Grade One Coral Challow Novices’ Hurdle.

Ben Pauling and Ben Jones hit a new high with The Jukebox Man in Kempton’s King George VI Chase on Boxing Day and kept the momentum up with Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase hero Mambonumberfive at the same circuit.

Now the pair take aim at hot favourite No Drama This End – an easy winner of his two hurdling starts – in a Newbury race Pauling took with his first stable star Barters Hill in 2015.

This might come quick enough for the Paul Nicholls-trained favourite and he has only been seen on a good to soft playing surface once.

Kalkbrenner did too much too soon over course and distance a month ago, but he battled on bravely before finding Klimt Madrik a touch too strong.

My selection had beaten that rival previously at Ffos Las, form that has been franked and if settling better, he can show his real ability here at double-figure odds.

Jones has another top opportunity riding NEWTON TORNADO (3.35), a thoroughbred with untapped potential for the Coral ‘Pipped-At-The Post’ Payouts Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase.

Champion jockey Sean Bowen gets the leg up on SCORPIO RISING (2.22), who bids for a hat-trick in the Join Coral ‘Bet 10 Get 50’ Handicap Hurdle.

The grey met Lingfield’s final flight with his ears pricked 41 days ago – a sign he had more in the tank – before galloping to a four-and-a-quarter length supremacy.

The fourth and fifth have scored since, so there is substance to the form and Scorpio Rising is fancied to defy an 8lb rise in a deeper event.

MINELLA BLUEWAY (1.50) is an each-way pick for the eight-runner Coral Mandarin Handicap Chase over a distance of 3m 2f.

The seven-year-old dropped off the pace when last seen at Chepstow, before running on again for third and if more tactically versatile now he is fitter, this is his chance to take advantage of carrying just 10st 8lb.

At Leopardstown, the Willie Mullins-trained and Rich Ricci-owned LOSSIEMOUTH (2.32) is the class act in the Grade One December Hurdle.

The handler sends two over to Doncaster for the Listed Sky Sports Racing Yorkshire Silver Vase Mares’ Chase, but past Clousutton inmate PAGGANE (2.10) is on a roll for training rookie Faye Bramley.

A positive ride could see SPIKE JONES (2.45) thwart patiently ridden pair Rockola Vogue and JJ Moon in the Download The At The Races App Handicap Hurdle, while BARATABLET (3.15) looks a level above Kelso’s Chas Handicap Hurdle.