BROADWAY BUFFALO travels to Wetherby on Boxing Day to bid for an audacious double on behalf of trainer David Pipe.

Just six days after coming from last to first to win the featured Tommy Whittle Chase at Haydock, the six-year-old aims to follow up in the prestigious £40,000 William Hill Rowland Meyrick Chase.

Patient tactics worked a treat for the keen-going Broadway Buffalo at Haydock. He moved sweetly through the field and was still on a tight rein going to the penultimate fence before mastering Toby Lerone and winning by four lengths.

Pipe is obviously well aware that his gelding is likely to go up by more than the 7lb penalty he runs under at Wetherby when he is re-assessed by the handicapper, hence his decision to run him again so quickly.

It could obviously backfire in a race which has also attracted locally-trained hopes, the Malcolm Jefferson-trained Cape Tribulation - winner of this race in 2012 and third last year - and Tim Easterby's Trustan Times, who finished third in last season's Scottish Grand National, as well as Sue Smith's useful Vintage Star.

But such was the ease and style of Broadway Buffalo's victory in Lancashire, he is fancied to oblige again in Yorkshire.

Two prolific winners will be on show at Wetherby. No Through Road, who rattled up a four-timer in October and November, turns out in the William Hill - Download The App Novices' Handicap Chase for Michael Scudamore and Liam Treadwell, while in the William Hill - Bet And Watch Handicap Hurdle, Spanish Fleet bids to add to his three recent wins at Carlisle for John Wade and James Reveley.

Both horses have obviously taken steep hikes up the handicap, but it would take a brave man to say that one or both can not take a further step up the ladder.

Also worth noting at the 'A1' course are Galway Jack (2.55), narrowly beaten at Doncaster last time, and King Of Strings (3.30), trained at Sheriff Hutton by Mark Walford and promising, without winning, over hurdles last season.

Top Irish trainer Willie Mullins may be strongly represented at Leopardstown's highly-prized Christmas meeting, but he could also be the trainer to follow at Kempton.

Not only does he saddle the hugely exciting and unbeaten Faugheen in the williamhill.com Christmas Hurdle, Mullins will also be represented by Champagne Fever in the William Hill King George VI Chase, the ultimate showpiece of the festive period.

A Supreme Novices' Hurdle winner in his earlier days, Champagne Fever was narrowly denied in last season's Arkle Chase at Cheltenham and was a fluent winner when stepped up to two and a half miles in Grade 2 company at Clonmel six weeks ago. He now has to prove himself over three miles and against the likes of last year's first and second Silviniaco Conti and Cue Card, as well as the classy Dynaste and Menorah. If his stamina holds out, however, he promises to take plenty of beating.

Faugheen is a not-to-be-missed Christmas runner. He is currently ante-post favourite for the Champion Hurdle in March after winning all six of his starts over hurdles, including the Neptune Investment Management Hurdle at Cheltenham last March and the Ascot Hurdle on his reappearance last month. He is a real class act and will be priced accordingly in his Grade 1 Boxing Day target. It will be a shock if his colours are lowered. Ruby Walsh is a plus point aboard both Mullins' runners.

Paul Nicholls holds a strong hand in the Kauto Star Novices' Chase, a race named in honour of the trainer's former stablestar, who was a multiple King George VI Chase winner.

Nicholls saddles Saphir Du Rheu and Virak.

Although the latter has won all his three starts this season, preference is for Saphir Du Rheu, who, having unseated his rider with a careless mistake at Newbury on his chasing debut, has since scored by 11 lengths at Exeter. He is held in very high regard in the Nicholls yard and is considered a star in the making. This race may tell us if he is.

The smart Jollyallan (12.50), the mount of Tony McCoy, and the potentially smart Stellar Notion (1.25) are also worth keeping on the right side at the Sunbury course.

Stamina will be at a premium in Market Rasen's feature event, the Clugston Lincolnshire National, run over a marathon three miles and five furlongs.

Many Stars, despite being burdened with top weight of 11st12lb, deserves every consideration. The Dan Skelton-trained gelding went for home early at Wetherby on his latest start and was cut down to size late on by Dream Flyer. Likely to be more patiently ridden over this extended distance, he is fancied to resume winning ways.

The promising Comeback Colin (2.45), who carries the nap vote to record his first win over fences and fulfil previous promise for Sue Smith, and recent Fontwell winner Aficionado (3.20) are two others to note.

Selections

Wetherby Boxing Day
12.35 Friendly Royal, 1.10 No Through Road, 1.45 Broadway Buffalo, 2.20 Spanish Fleet, 2.55 Galway Jack, 3.30 King Of Strings.

Kempton Boxing Day
12.50 Jollyallan, 1.25 Stellar Notion, 2.00 Saphir Du Rheu, 2.35 Faugheen, 3.10 Champagne Fever, 3.45 Daveron.

Market Rasen Boxing Day
12.25 King's Road, 12.55 It's Oscar, 1.30 Letbeso, 2.10 Many Stars, 2.45 Comeback Colin(NAP), 3.20 Aficionado.

Boxing Day's other meetings: Fontwell, Huntington, Sedgefield, Towcester, Wincanton and Wolverhampton.