Chatterbox can shout from the rooftops at Newbury this afternoon by winning the feature race on day one of the Hennessy Gold Cup meeting.

Trained by Nicky Henderson, who has an outstanding record on his local course, Chatterbox lines up in the bet365 Intermediate Hurdle and is fancied to carry Barry Geraghty to success in this Listed contest.

Winner of two of his three races last season, both on this course, Chatterbox wound up by finishing fourth to The New One in the Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

There is surely more to come from the five-year-old this term and he is selected to come out on top on of what promises to be a fascinating contest.

Henderson,whose leading Champion Hurdle hope, My Tent Or Yours runs in Saturday’s Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle on Saturday, looks set to enjoy a profitable afternoon at Newbury.

The Lambourn handler can start off with a winner courtesy of Volnay de Thaix in the bet365 Novices’ Hurdle.

This smart French recruit scored here earlier in the month when having his first run for Henderson. He looks a useful performer.

Maestro Royal could be another winner for Henderson in the bet365.com Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race.

A son of Doyen, it looks significant that Henderson, who will have any amount of similar types of horses, has chosen him as his representative at a meeting where he will be keen to make a big impression.

There is more than £30,000 up for grabs in the RSA Worcester Novices’ Chase and Le Reve is fancied to scoop the lion’s share.

Trained by Emma Lavelle, the five-year-old beat Hi Note by a neck at Huntingdon at the beginning of the month. A 134-rated hurdler, he can continue to progress over fences.

Dan Skelton, long-time assistant to Paul Nicholls, has made a splendid start to his own training career this season and he can land another success with nap selection Squire Trelawney in the bet365.com Novices’ Handicap Hurdle.

The gelding went down by only a head at Towcester on his reappearance and is effectively a winner without a penalty.

At Kempton’s twilight Flat fixture, make a note of Minnaloushe (5.05), who is overdue a winning turn, and Tagula Night (7.05), who ran well last time and who will have the services of York-based jockey Robert Winston.


Racing selections

Newbury today 12.25 Volnay de Thaix, 12.55 Top Dancer, 1.30 Squire Trelawney (NAP), 2.05 Le Reve, 2.40 Renard d’Irlande, 3.15 Chatterbox, 3.45 Maestro Royal.

Kempton today 4.05 Errigal Lad, 4.35 Perfect Persuasion, 5.05 Minnaloushe, 5.35 Isabella Beeton, 6.05 One Penny Piece, 6.35 My Gigi, 7.05 Tagula Night, 7.35 Bramshill Lass.

Today’s other meetings: Taunton and Uttoxeter.

Tomorrow’s meetings: Doncaster, Musselburgh, Newbury and Wolverhampton.