Hot To Trot: Gold can be early Christmas Present

Jumps trainer: Nicky Henderson

Nicky Henderson was denied in heartbreaking fashion with Whisper in last weekend's Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury, but handsome compensation came courtesy of Buveur d'Air at Newcastle. Last season's Champion Hurdle winner resumed after seven months off with a smooth victory in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle, and whet the appetite for what promises to be a thrilling clash with Faugheen later in the season. 

The in-form Henderson has plenty to keep himself occupied in the meantime, however, with five entries at the time of writing in next Saturday's Caspian Caviar Gold Cup at Cheltenham, including Gold Present. The seven-year-old was a winner on the aforementioned Ladbrokes Trophy card, despite jumping right and not looking entirely straightforward, and he remains potentially well treated from just 5 lb higher in the weights. He should give another good account in a race that could also feature consistent stablemate Theinval.

Casablanca Mix is also entered in that Cheltenham heat, but is perhaps more likely to run in the listed mares' novices' chase at Warwick on Thursday. She found only Willoughby Court too good on her first start over fences at Huntingdon and had no trouble going one better back there against her own sex last time. 

Rather Be and Fixe le Cap both had some useful form in the book over hurdles, the former when winning a handicap at Aintree in April and Fixe le Cap when chasing home London Prize in last season's Imperial Cup, and it will be interesting to see who Henderson chooses to represent him in the 2½m novices' chase at Uttoxeter on Tuesday. Both would be making their chasing debuts, but possess the scope to do well in that sphere. 

Flat trainer: Marco Botti

Marco Botti has had a slightly disappointing season by his own high standards in 2017, with just 39 winners to his name at the time of writing. There have still been several highpoints - Aljazzi winning the Atalanta Stakes and Capla Temptress' Grade 1 victory in the US to name but two - and Botti will be particularly pleased with how he is ending the calendar year.

Indeed, the winners have been flowing on the all-weather of late, and the trainer will be hoping to add to his tally at Kempton on Wednesday, with five of his seven entries on the card coming in the 1m novice stakes. Artieshow and Houlton have the benefit of previous experience, but it is one of the three newcomers that catches the eye most. By Holy Roman Warrior and out of a fairly useful mare (beat UAE Derby victor Khawlah when winning her maiden), it would be a surprise if Holy Shambles is not up to winning races, and it could be worth looking out for his name when the final declarations come out on Monday.

Domitilla is one of those to have contributed to Botti's good spell of late, having shown much improved form to make a winning handicap debut at Lingfield last Wednesday. She may yet do better after just four starts, and looks sure to be thereabouts if turned out quickly under a penalty back at Lingfield on Tuesday.

Under the radar: Rose Dobbin

Rose Dobbin may not have the biggest string - she has been represented by just 32 horses over obstacles this season - but there are few trainers in such good form at present, and she looks well on track to smash her previous best tally of winners in a season. Indeed, Monfass' success at Carlisle last Sunday brought Dobbin to within five winners of the 16 she saddled last term, and it would be no surprise should Romulus du Donjon aid the cause with another victory at Musselburgh on Monday. The six-year-old was a determined winner at Catterick last time and should go well again despite a 7 lb hike in the weights.

Can't Pay Won't Pay, on the other hand, failed to complete on his most recent outing at Wetherby, unseating his amateur jockey two-out when around seven lengths behind the runner-up. That still must go down as an encouraging debut for this yard, having travelled comfortably to that point, and he certainly showed enough to suggest he is on a good mark at present. He will be of definite interest, therefore, if taking up one of his engagements next week.